Brandon Aiyuk or not, Steelers have no plans to change how they handle George Pickens
PITTSBURGH — While they wait for the San Francisco 49ers to decide what they want to do with receiver Brandon Aiyuk — extend him or trade him? — the Pittsburgh Steelers have no plans to alter their strategy with receiver George Pickens.
That includes their plans for the future, even if they are able to obtain Aiyuk in a trade.
Pickens, the third-year receiver who has spent another training camp dazzling the fans at Saint Vincent College with his spectacular catches, has heard the talk about a possible trade for Aiyuk. But he said he doesn't pay any mind to it and is more focused on the group of receivers currently on the roster.
"I just be with these guys and be in Latrobe, chilling, playing a game, me, Cal (Austin), lock in only on the Steelers," Pickens said Wednesday on the final day of training camp at Saint Vincent College. "I hear about it, but I don't really indulge in it."
And how would Pickens feel about adding a receiver such as Aiyuk, who has back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons with the 49ers?
"Whatever his situation is, it's a different situation, that would be up to him," Pickett said. "To be honest, I'm only here with the guys today."
If the 49ers agree to a trade, the Steelers will finalize a new multi-year contract for Aiyuk. But, no matter the amount, it will not affect what the Steelers do when Pickens becomes a free agent after the 2025 season, according to team sources. The Steelers consider Pickens their No. 1 receiver and intend to pay him accordingly.
Paying two top receivers has not always been the norm for the Steelers, going back to when they let Plaxico Burress go once they paid Hines Ward. When they didn't re-sign Mike Wallace, they gave the money to Antonio Brown. Once they did that, they didn't re-sign Emmanuel Sanders when his contract was up after the 2013 season.
That is not their plan with Pickens.
He has spent every day at training camp making the routine plays look spectacular and the spectacular plays look easy. Whatever plan Pickens had for training camp, it must have included wowing the fans on a daily basis.
"I feel like all the guys (had a plan)," Pickens said. "I feel like as a group, as a total group, I think we did a great job."
That includes the two veteran newcomers in free agency — Van Jefferson, who was signed from the Los Angeles Rams; and Quez Watkins, signed from the Philadelphia Eagles. Unless a deal for Aiyuk happens, Jefferson will be the No. 2 receiver. Watkins had his best two days of training camp this week.
"I feel like we're explosive — the tight ends, too," Pickens said. "They play a huge role in getting receivers open. I feel we got a nice tight end group with Darnell (Washington), Pat (Freiermuth) and 81 (MyCole Pruitt). He (Pruitt) has kind of been in Art's offense his whole career. So we kind of have some nice ideas."
In the meantime, Pickens is eager to finally get a chance to play with quarterback Russell Wilson, who is expected to play for the first time in Saturday night's preseason game against the Buffalo Bills at Acrisure Stadium.
Wilson has resumed opening team drills as the No. 1 quarterback after the Steelers spent the first three weeks of camp being cautious with his mild calf strain.
"He's a very good leader," Pickens said. "I'll probably say he's a more verbal guy than the other (quarterbacks) for sure. Just him and his enthusiasm. His enthusiasm is the best thing about him."
At 35, Wilson begins his 13th NFL season with his third different team, but he was signed in free agency to help change the recent lack of success in the postseason. The Steelers have lost their past five playoff games dating to 2016. They weren't convinced Kenny Pickett, their No. 1 draft choice in 2022, was the quarterback to do it.
"You know, he's kind of been coaching up all the guys. ... he's kind of in the coaching role right now recovering from the calf injury," Pickens said. "Preseason is just, you know, pre-games, and they really don't count. But I'll be excited for sure (in Game 1)."
