When George Pickens was drafted in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Pittsburgh Steelers fans were cautiously ecstatic. Pickens had the talent of a first-round pick, but questions about his maturity and an ACL injury dropped his stock. His potential is undeniable, but with that talent comes frustration, and three seasons in, the patience of fans and teammates seems to be wearing thin.

Pickens has all the tools to be a star receiver in the NFL. He’s, tall, fast, athletic, has outstanding body control, elite ball skills, and a catch radius that makes him a deep threat against any defense. With career stats of 138 receptions, 2,251 yards, and 9 touchdowns, his ability to challenge even the best defensive backs is clear. Defensive coordinators know Pickens can be a nightmare to plan for—but he’s also proving to be his own worst enemy.

One of the biggest issues with Pickens is his effort—or lack thereof. When he’s locked in, he’s one of the most dangerous young receivers in the league. But when he’s not getting the ball, his effort level noticeably drops. Watching the all-22 film, he can be seen literally jogging on the field more than a few occasions. He doesn’t block as aggressively as some believed he could, and that is a major factor to this offense’s success. At times, he may give a strong initial push, but that’s where it stops, if he even does that. If he feels left out of the game plan, he pouts, throws tantrums, and becomes a distraction on the sideline.

To be fair, Pickens hasn’t exactly been in the best offensive system. He’s had quarterbacks like Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky, Mason Rudolph, and Justin Fields throwing him the ball, and offensive coordinators like Matt Canada and Arthur Smith calling the plays—hardly a recipe for maximizing a young receiver’s potential. Yet, no matter who’s throwing the passes, when Pickens is mentally checked in, he’s a major problem for any defense.

But the Steelers can’t afford to have a No. 1 receiver who only performs when everything is going his way. This offense is young, and they need leaders who set the right example on and off the field. Pickens says he leads by example, but his behavior shows otherwise. His volatility is becoming a major concern, and while his production is valuable, his distractions are starting to outweigh it.

It’s not just fans who are growing weary of Pickens’ antics. Reports from Dianna Russini of The Athletic suggest that the Steelers could potentially be willing to trade the young receiver. At first, that idea seemed far-fetched, but then I remembered that this team traded Antonio for a third-round pick while eating $21+ million in dead cap money. If they were willing to part ways with AB, why wouldn’t they move on from Pickens if he continues down this path and is nowhere near the level of receiver as Brown at this point.

As a fan, I want to see Pickens in the black and gold for a long time. His talent is undeniable, and when he’s focused, he’s one of the most exciting players on the field. But if he doesn’t mature quickly, it’s hard to see him lasting in Pittsburgh—maybe not even until the end of his rookie contract.

At this point, it’s simple: it’s time for George Pickens to grow up or go away.

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