There is no question that receiver George Pickens is one of the most talented but unpredictable players the Pittsburgh Steelers have had on their roster since Antonio Brown.
Since last season, Pickens has been lauded for his incredible playmaking abilities but also for his erratic antics that have been the subject of scrutiny for many.
At the conclusion of their Christmas Day loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, his postgame interview interaction with Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce stirred up controversy regarding the possible message he was sending.
One person who had a strong viewpoint on this interaction was Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio. In his analysis, he asserted that Pickens was sending a signal of his desire to leave the Steelers potentially this offseason, despite being eligible for a contract extension.
"I feel like Pickens has been at that point of, 'I've had enough here' for a while now. It flashes from time to time. He has visions of what he could do in an offense with a higher end passing game, an offense that throws the ball more than the Steelers do."
Though there is no definitive indication of his desire to leave the Steelers, there is always the possibility that the organization itself has reached the peak of its tolerance with Pickens and could be ready to move on. Considering the numerous problematic receivers the team has had on their roster in the last decade, the idea of going in a completely different direction should not be ignored.
If this were the case, the biggest challenge would be finding a receiver whose talent and production exceed that of Pickens. One of the names linked to the Steelers this offseason is Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tee Higgins, assuming he does not get extended by his current team. Apart from Higgins, the potential free agent receiver class may present some intriguing names such as Stefon Diggs, Amari Cooper, and Keenan Allen.
Alternatively, the Steelers could do what they do best and find their next playmaking receiver in the draft. Though the team may not be in a high enough position to take either Luther Burden III from Missouri or Tetairoa McMillan from Arizona, likely names the team could target include Emeka Egbuka from Ohio State, Isaiah Bond from Texas, or Elic Ayomonor from Stanford, who may present quality alternatives.
With the postseason looming, the offseason is still a ways away. Until then, the outcome of this year's playoffs, in conjunction with his performance during that portion of the season, may ultimately determine whether or not he stays with the team long term.
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