Insider names what’s holding Steelers’ George Pickens back from being the best WR in the league

Look, WRs get the "diva" label for a variety of reasons, often tied to their persona and the drama that tends to ensue when they don't get the ball, are losing games, and are seeking a new contract. 

A position that often presents fans with the most notable plays of the game, QBs are the face of the franchise, but WRs are the ones putting butts in seats. 

And for the Steelers, that's especially true when you have a player as dynamic and athletic as George Pickens. 

Despite the revolving door at QB, Pickens totaled over 1100 yards on only 63 receptions in 2023, averaging an absurd, and league-leading 18.1 yards per reception. 

That figure alone proves how explosive he can be. 

Some will point to that being his only skill however, to which I disagree. If you think George Pickens can't run routes, you will probably cite a limited route tree, with Pickens largely sticking to patterns on the vertical plane. 

But that doesn't mean he can't run routes, it just means he hasn't been asked to:

Players of his height and weight are not supposed to be that fluid and "snappy" in their movement patterns, especially in short areas. That was why Pickens was my #1 WR in his draft class two years ago, and is already among the best in the group despite falling to the mid-second round. 

But the reason he fell in the draft is the same reason that Fittipaldo thinks he is holding himself back...

Character. 

"George needs to comport himself better. He needs to be a better teammate."

What Fittipaldo is saying is that the actions like deciding not to block against the Colts, or throwing tantrums on the sideline aren't helping anyone, and thus the lack of composure and consistency that he carries himself with is doing more harm than good. 

There is some truth to that, but the media tends to forget that Pickens just turned 23 years old, meaning he is still developing as a person both on and off the field. I expect to see a more mature and team-centric player in 2024.

So Pickens is not in that elite tier of WRs, he is on the precipice of becoming a true WR #1 that any team could use, but he's not one...

Not yet anyway. 

Something tells me that will change after this season however.