Steelers wideout has demanding 2023 goal set for himself

After making his presence felt as a rookie season a year ago, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens is looking to make a bigger impression.

A year ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers did one of the things they do best when it comes to the NFL draft and that is to discover real talent at the wide receiver position.

In the second round, then-general manager Kevin Colbert opted for University of Georgia product George Pickens. He finished third on the club with 63 catches, second on the team with 801 receiving yards, and first on Mike Tomlin’s squad with four touchdown grabs. Those are hardly awe-inspiring numbers, which makes the enclosed quote from Pickens a little bewildering.

Keep in mind that teammate Diontae Johnson led Pittsburgh with 86 catches and 882 receiving yards this past season. Of course, he also failed to catch a touchdown pass. All told, the Steelers only scored 12 times through the air in 2022, the lowest total in the league. One year earlier, Johnson was a Pro Bowler via 107 catches for 1,161 yards and eight scores.

Steelers: George Pickens has big goals for 2023

Pickens would have to come up with similar numbers to that of Johnson in 2021 to receive any kind of all-star recognition and that’s no guarantee. Still, what really matters here is that a Pro Bowl invitation is but one of the numerous goals for the talented former Bulldog.

“Year two goals are Pro Bowl and I feel like last year I feel like I got snubbed,” clarified Pickens to Bo Marchionte of College2Pro.com. “Cause there wasn’t a lot of guys in there at the Pro Bowl that excited me. Then the Super Bowl. The two bowls. A lot of RAC, run after catch. Two bowls for sure.”

During his debut campaign, he caught passes from Mitch Trubisky and fellow rookie Kenny Pickett. Three of his four touchdown receptions came in the final eight games. Perhaps a faster start in his upcoming second season could lead to a huge showing by the talented Pickens, who may also receive some veteran advice from veteran Allen Robinson this summer.