Steelers reporter reacts to 'heated exchange' between George Pickens, assistant

Pittsburgh Steelers reporter Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wrote that wide receiver George Pickens "was visibly upset" during Thursday's training camp practice following "a heated exchange" with new receivers coach Zach Azzanni that occurred because "Azzanni didn’t like the way Pickens executed his assignment."

Fittipaldo later spoke about Pickens during a Thursday appearance on Pittsburgh sports radio station 93.7 The Fan.

"Listen, George is a pretty sharp guy," Fittipaldo explained, as shared by Josh Carney of Steelers Depot. "He's gotta see the writing on the wall, right? I mean, they got rid of Diontae Johnson because he was a problem. And George Pickens has to know that if he doesn't turn around his act and act in a more appropriate manner on and off the field this season, that he might be the next guy out the door. Or, at the very least, he's not gonna get a second contract with the Steelers."

Pittsburgh routinely has been linked in offseason rumors with San Francisco 49ers star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, in part because supposed maturity concerns may have some within the Steelers fearing that Pickens will never become a true No. 1 option. While Steelers general manager Omar Khan indicated on Thursday he's had no serious trade conversations with 49ers general manager John Lynch, some believe Pittsburgh could offer at least one player in a package to San Francisco for either Aiyuk or fellow receiver Deebo Samuel before Week 1.

"I think, after today, he probably realizes if he didn't already know it, he is gonna be coached hard," Fittipaldo said about Pickens. "This is a new offensive staff. It's not gonna be the same. And we'll see how this goes, but I thought that was a pretty interesting development that it happened today late in practice."

NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated thinks the 49ers could sign Aiyuk to an extension this summer and then accept "calls" about Samuel's services ahead of the regular season. The most likely scenario remains that Pickens will enter September as Pittsburgh's No. 1 receiver, but it sounds like the 2022 second-round draft pick could find himself on thin ice sooner rather than later.