Since early December, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and crew proprietor/president Artwork Rooney II have publicly mentioned how extensive receiver George Pickens must develop/develop up forward of his fourth professional season.
It seems former All-Professional receiver Chad Johnson may very well be a part of Pickens’ maturation course of.
“We finished talked,” Johnson mentioned about Pickens throughout a latest version of the “Nightcap” YouTube present and podcast, as shared by Jake Brockhoff of Steelers Depot and Nick Farabaugh of PennLive. “We had that dialog. I assure you gained’t have any extra issues out of him. Mike Tomlin, you gonna see this. Rooneys, you’re gonna see this. I assure you gained’t have any extra issues with him.”
Maturity issues hovered over Pickens lengthy earlier than he rocked a profane message on his eye black, grappled with an opposing cornerback throughout a Hail Mary try, was flagged twice for unsportsmanlike conduct in a contest, reportedly confirmed up late for Pittsburgh’s Christmas Day sport in opposition to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and instructed after the Steelers’ playoff loss to the Baltimore Ravens that he wasn’t optimistic about the way forward for the Pittsburgh offense.
Pickens unsurprisingly turned the topic of commerce rumors forward of the postseason match, because the 23-year-old is on monitor to enter the last 12 months of his rookie contract. Nonetheless, Steelers insider Mark Kaboly of “The Pat McAfee Present” mentioned throughout Tremendous Bowl week that he feels “Pickens can be again” for a minimum of yet one more season.
In the meantime, The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo wrote for a bit printed Thursday that he “may see” Tomlin wanting to carry onto Pickens. The notion exists that Tomlin “makes most” of the personnel selections for the group.
“I advised him, ‘Hear, that window of alternative, boy that b— shrink actual quick now. It do not matter how good you might be. They’ll tolerate you till they’ll exchange you,'” Johnson added in regards to the message he gave Pickens.
Solely time will inform if Johnson is correct in regards to the Steelers not having “any extra issues” associated to Pickens’ antics or perspective. On paper, the Pittsburgh offense could be higher with Pickens even when the membership acquires a big-name goal by way of free company, a commerce or the upcoming draft. Then once more, the 2022 second-round choose could have merely worn out his welcome with the Steelers.
