Don’t Worry About George Pickens’ Training Camp Dust-Up
Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Thanks to the internet and 24/7 news cycle that is the NFL, fans have as much access to the league as ever. It’s not just the games that all eyes are on, but training camps and practices. That constant news cycle isn’t just because there’s so much news, but because we see everything that happens.
So when Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens gets into a “heated exchange” with Zach Azzanni, who took over the wide receiver coach position this offseason, we hear about it. We also hear when Ray Fittipaldo, who reported the initial story with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, goes on the radio to say “[The Steelers] 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, he could be the next one out the door.”
That’s something that can make Steelers fans nervous, considering that, hey, they did get rid of Johnson despite averaging 78 catches and 873 yards in five years in Pittsburgh. Also, that trade left the team with very little proven depth behind Pickens. So if the Steelers determine Pickens to be a malcontent, what happens then?
We’re not here to throw shade at Fittipaldo’s reporting. We believe that Pickens was “visibly upset” after the confrontation with his new coach, and the team might end up growing weary of Pickens’ demeanor. This could be symptomatic of a long-term problem. But we’re going to need to see a lot more before raising our panic meter.
Heated exchanges aren’t exactly uncommon in the NFL. Look at how many happen on sidelines on game day, even! Sure, sometimes a yelling match is indicative of a bigger problem, like when Stefon Diggs turned his ire onto Josh Allen. But more often, a player lets off some steam, and everyone moves on.
Now, to pull out everyone’s favorite hack joke from 2002: We’re talking about practice?
You have your players’ coaches, of course, but as a general rule: Coaches yell. They get in your ear. It’s what they do. When new coaches come to town, and get to know new players, they’re going to establish not just relationships, but boundaries. Players are going to do the same, feeling out the new expectations that a different coach will bring. Sometimes, everything goes smoothly from Day 1, and others, there will be an inevitable clash.
While Fittipaldo gave the money quote that Pickens could “be the next one out the door,” he also has noted the Occam’s Razor takeaway from the incident multiple times: Pickens will need to adjust to a different style of coaching than he’s used to. “I think George is smart,” Fittipaldo said on 93.7 The Fan. “After today, he probably realizes it if he didn’t know it already, he is gonna be coached hard.”
In almost all likelihood, this is notable because it was observable in practice. How many of these incidents happen during 32 training camps that go unnoticed by the media, or happen behind closed doors? We can’t know, of course, but it’s probably fair to assume it happens quite a bit.
While Pickens may need time to adjust to, or may not ultimately respond to a tough-love approach, it’s not in anybody’s interests to let something like this spiral out. Pickens is in the best spot possible to get paid on a second contract, being the unquestioned No. 1 wide receiver with a playoff-caliber quarterback and roster. The Steelers need a receiver with Pickens’ talents, and even a world where they trade Pickens, then spend draft capital to land (then pay) a Brandon Aiyuk doesn’t guarantee them more skill or happiness at the position.
Maybe the situation changes between Pickens and the Steelers, but until the point where they no longer need each other, it’s a lot safer to assume that any rockiness in their relationship will get smoothed out.
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