PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – When you ask Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson about a player, you are going to get a roster review of everyone at that position. He does that with other receivers, but knows he has only one George Pickens.
“There's only so many people in the world – and you can count them on one hand – that can do what he can do,” Wilson said.
Pickens had missed a pair of games and still has 850 yards on the season. Since Russell Wilson took over at quarterback, he’s averaged 81 yards a game and 16.8 yards per catch. His Pro Football Focus ranking has grown every year to where he’s the 17th best receiver in the league, even playing for the 25th best passing offense in the NFL.
It’s what the Steelers need from the pass offense that doesn’t exist, or at least doesn’t flourish, with anyone else.
“I think the best thing that he brings is he strikes fear in that defense,” Wilson said.
Fear in Pickens could help open the door back up for tight end Pat Freiermuth. In the three weeks prior to George’s injury, 13 catches for 195 yards and two touchdowns. In the last two games, without Pickens, six catches for 38 yards and one TD. His average yards-per-target went from 13.9 to 4.2.
“I think anytime Pat touches the football for us is a good thing,” Wilson said. “He helps us really attack the field vertically, attack it in the edges. Just he knows how to get first downs for us. He did a good picking up some big first downs last week. And so we trust him in every way.”
They need more of him. While Wilson’s strength is spreading the ball around, Freiermuth needs more opportunities. Not that he will complain openly.
“They're around the right guys,” said offensive coordinator Arthur Smith of the receivers and tight ends. “Pat is the right guy. I get it. Everybody wants to score, but you start worrying about that and you're losing games like that you got a bunch of selfish guys and you're not going to have a chance.”
They all have a better chance to make a play because Pickens is back.
“George is a special player, man. He's been special for us all year. In my opinion, he's one of the best receivers in the National Football League, without a doubt. The things that he can do with the football, his catching radius is remarkable.”
Their special receiver is back, they need a special receiver to beat a special team.