Steelers teammates defend WR George Pickens amid criticisms, trade rumors

Wide receiver George Pickens has received criticism throughout his Pittsburgh Steelers tenure for multiple reasons.

Whether it was for failing to become a top-tier player at the position or for generating more undesirable headlines than highlight-reel plays, Pittsburgh's second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft has heard it all.

During the latest edition of "The Christian Kuntz Podcast," both the Steelers long snapper Christian Kuntz and cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. defended Pickens.

"[Pickens] is freaking phenomenal, bro," Bishop said, as shared by Ross McCorkle of Steelers Depot. "Probably won't see another guy like him. I've never played with a guy that can just show up and..." 

Kuntz then took over. 

"He can just roll out of bed and run a full route and catch a ball over somebody," Kuntz said about Pickens. "He's tough, too." 

Pickens causing numerous headaches for Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin likely wouldn't have generated so many headlines throughout the 2024 season if the 24-year-old produced a phenomenal campaign. Instead, Pickens ended Week 18 with just 59 receptions for 900 yards and three touchdowns over 14 games. 

Perhaps most worrisome is how Pickens responded to Tomlin saying back in early December that the wideout needed to "grow up." Pickens allegedly showed up late for Pittsburgh's Christmas Day game, and he indicated after the Steelers' wild-card playoff loss that he wasn't optimistic about the team improving its offense this offseason.  

Nevertheless, fellow Pittsburgh wide receiver Calvin Austin III told ABC24 Memphis on Thursday that he feels "the media" is to blame for the fact that outsiders see "a majority of the bad" regarding Pickens. 

"George is just a great competitor," Austin continued, per Troy Montgomery of Steelers Depot. "He's an insane athlete, and at the end of the day, he's part of my rookie class. Me and my rookie class, me and my guys, he's just a friend. He's definitely a guy that has crazy athleticism, crazy potential and a guy that I think is gonna be a superstar in this league."