The Pittsburgh Steelers face several organizational challenges as they prepare for the offseason in 2025. They must implement changes to their coaching staff on both offense and defense and reassess their roster structure. The team’s offense has been underperforming for a while, but George Pickens stands out as a generational talent, although concerns about his behavior persist.
Recently, former Steelers cornerback Bryant McFadden shared his thoughts on Pickens, who is seeking a contract extension after completing his third season. McFadden emphasized that the organization needs to help Pickens develop into a professional player. Reflecting on his own playing days, he recalled the talented receivers like Antwaan Randle El, Plaxico Burress, Santonio Holmes, Antonio Brown, and Emmanuel Sanders who benefited from learning alongside Hines Ward. In contrast, McFadden pointed out that Pickens has lacked strong mentorship, raising doubts about his willingness to learn and improve both on and off the field.
McFadden referenced conversations Patrick Peterson had with Pickens, noting that Peterson believed Pickens was eager to learn. Nevertheless, he questioned whether Diontae Johnson, whom the team traded at the start of the 2024 offseason, was the right mentor for Pickens. Johnson’s own struggles with professionalism have made it difficult to consider him an effective guide for the young receiver.
While the Steelers have a storied history of outstanding wide receivers, recent years have seen issues with immature player behavior. Pickens experienced a challenging year, marked by fines due to his actions on the field, including a controversial incident during a game against the Dallas Cowboys.
With Pickens entering the final year of his rookie contract, the Steelers must evaluate his potential as a leading receiver against his maturity concerns. Head Coach Mike Tomlin acknowledged that Pickens still has work to do in his development. If the organization believes Pickens cannot evolve into a veteran leader, they might need to part ways with him soon. McFadden stresses the importance of restoring the team’s leadership standards to return to championship contention. What are your thoughts on Pickens’ potential for growth as a leader?
