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Kenny Pickett on George Pickens: 'he thinks same way I think'

profilephotocropby:Suzanne Halliburton•08/05/23•

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kenny pickett george pickens
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Steeler fans probably are scrolling social media, checking out the latest training camp plays featuring Kenny Pickett and George Pickens.

Those plays tend to go viral as the second-year quarterback and the second-year receiver work on their chemistry. They’re growing every day in preseason, which is why there are plays like this one made in the twilight of a Pennsylvania evening. It was a difficult play, too. Pickett rolled to his left — who cares if he’s right handed — and hit Pickens in the far corner of the end zone. And given his reaction, Pickens knew he’d made another fantastic catch.

Wait, there’s more Kenny Pickett to George Pickens

The NFL Network was out at Steelers practice. And in an interview, Kenny Pickett made sure to credit George Pickens for these daily incredible plays.

“It’s more George than me,” Pickett said. “I just got to put it out there and George goes and makes the plays. So I always want to give him those opportunities. If he’s ever one on one, I’m gonna give him those opportunities. So he’s doing an unbelievable job. I love that kind of continuity, on the same page that we’re on constantly. He thinks the same way I think, you know. He has that aggressive mentality. So, you know, he’s doing a really, really good job.”

Wait, we’ve got another Kenny Pickett-George Pickens play. (Those plays should go by the acronym PPP).

On this one, Pickett does a simple drop back. He could see Pickens had a step on the corner, so he threw it high. Pickens gracefully extended his body and got both feet in bounds for the touchdown. He emphatically spiked the ball in celebration.

In his Saturday appearance on NFL Network, a reporter asked Pickett about Mike Tomlin’s message for the quarterback as he heads into year two.

“Play good,” Pickett said as he laughed. “Yeah, he made it really easy … simple. You know, I don’t need to be Superman. I’m gonna go out there and play my game, And you know, operate the system, make the plays that are there … take the shots when they’re there. And just be myself … knowing that he’s kind of just letting me be free. I go out there and get to play my kind of style, my game. It feels good.”

The Steelers had this all in mind when they selected Kenny Pickett in the first round and George Pickens in the second of last year’s draft. It’s a Pitt Panther throwing to a Georgia Bulldog. And given the plays coming out of training camp, they may be ahead of schedule.