Wide receiver George Pickens experienced his first training camp practice with the Dallas Cowboys on Wednesday. Afterwards, the receiver again stressed what a “breath of fresh” air it is to be playing for the Cowboys instead of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Pickens being complimentary of his new team isn’t news. But the receiver has indirectly dissed the team that drafted him, the Steelers, before and appeared to do so again Wednesday.
After his first training camp practice, the 24-year-old wideout suggested he will have a much better opportunity to showcase his route-running ability with the Cowboys than he was able to in Pittsburgh.
“I’m definitely excited to run better plays, for sure,” Pickens told reporters.
Notably, Pickens made the statement with a wide grin.
How much better off he is not in Pittsburgh appears to be on Pickens’ mind this offseason. On June 30, he sent a message to safety Minkah Fitzpatrick congratulating him on getting traded from the Steelers to the Miami Dolphins.
During his first Cowboys press conference on May 27, Pickens also made comments that some pundits saw as throwing shade at the Steelers.
WR George Pickens Omits Mentioning Mike Tomlin
NFL pundits jumped on Pickens’ “better plays” with the Cowboys comment immediately Wednesday. But Pickens arguably also took an indirect shot at Mike Tomlin.
Pickens was highly complimentary of Cowboys new head coach Brian Schottenheimer, which isn’t surprising. But when the receiver began comparing Schottenheimer to other great coaches he’s played for, Pickens didn’t mention Tomlin.
“He’s probably one of the best coaches I’ve had around,” Pickens said of Schottenheimer. “Besides like Kirby Smart and a lot of other legend coaches that I’ve played for. But his energy is like one-of-one. That’s gotta be in somebody. You can’t really make that.
“[Schottenheimer’s] competitive. That has to be, like, in you. Because he’s a coach, he’s not playing. So he’s just as competitive as we are. So, yeah. He’s a great guy.”
Only Pickens can answer whether Tomlin was in the group of “other legend coaches” that the receiver has played for during his career.
The Steelers drafted Pickens at No. 52 overall in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft despite obvious red flags. He was part of Kevin Colbert’s final draft class in Pittsburgh, which, has turned into a very disappointing group.
Pickens posted 293 catches, 2,841 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns in 48 games with the Steelers. He was an incredible talent but also a walking drama king that wore out his welcome before the end of his rookie contract.
Steelers WR Depth Without George Pickens
Without Pickens, the Steelers are entering 2025 training camp with DK Metcalf as their new No. 1 receiver. The team also added Robert Woods as a veteran presence opposite Metcalf.
In the slot, Calvin Austin III will again star while the Steelers also hope 2024 third-round pick Roman Wilson emerges. Austin made a big jump in production last season with 36 catches, 548 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
It’s also still possible the Steelers add another receiver during training camp or the preseason. Pundits have connected the team to veteran free agents Keenan Allen and Amari Cooper. San Francisco 49ers Jauan Jennings has also been rumored as a trade target.
But the Steelers did acquire tight end Jonnu Smith in the trade that involved Fitzpatrick. Smith could play in the slot and out wide in addition to tight end.
Behind their top four receivers, the Steelers have veterans Scotty Miller and Ben Skowronek for additional depth. Skowronek is likely to make a bigger impact on special teams.
Pittsburgh also has wide receivers Brandon Johnson, Lance McCutcheon, Roc Taylor, Ke’Shawn Williams and Montana Lemonious-Craig on the offseason roster.
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