Steelers coach reveals what 'failure' is for George Pickens in year two
The Steelers have very high expectations for second-year WR George Pickens. However, with high expectations comes a lot of pressure, and one coach reveals what it will take for Pickens to find success in 2023.
"It has to be a big jump. The onus is on me to have him take the next step, that jump that we are all searching for and want," wide receivers coach Frisman Jackson told reporters, via Steelers Depot. "He's got to be a great player for us. We need him to be a great player, and for him to play like he did last year, that's a failure on my part. That's a failure on his part. And so he's got to play at a great level, and the expectation is for him to play at a great level this year."
Pickens took the league by storm as a rookie in 2022, posting 52 catches for 801 yards and four touchdowns as well as several highlight reel catches like this one against the Browns in Week 3.
The 22-year-old certainly has the skillset to become one of the best receivers in the NFL, but Jackson believes he's still a work in progress.
"We're hoping to add to his repertoire," Jackson added. "Last year he showed the vertical part of his game. He has a lot more to his game. Hopefully this year we can get him doing a bunch more of what he's capable of doing."
If Pickens can make the leap that many think he will, watch out for Pittsburgh as the team could be a dark horse contender in 2023.
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