Report: Steelers WR George Pickens gets into heated exchange with WR coach Zach Azzanni
It appears the offseason did not solve all of the Steelers’ problems. On Thursday, wide receiver George Pickens reportedly caught some heat from his position coach Zach Azzanni. It was just the first day of practice but Azzanni is setting the tone early. The spat caught the eye of Post-Gazette insider Ray Fittipaldo, who reported on the incident during an episode of The North Shore Drive.
“It happened on the second to last play of practice,” Fittipaldo said. “New receivers coach Zach Azzanni did not like the way Pickens executed his assignment on that play and he let him know about it. I gotta be honest with you, I don’t remember George Pickens being coached that way… It stood in stark contrast to what we’ve seen previously.”
Tomlin publicly addressed Pickens’ attitude during 2023 season
In December, head coach Mike Tomlin answered questions about Pickens’ growth and the concerns about his effort level. He acknowledged that there was room for development.
“George is a talented guy, but he’s growing and growing in a lot of ways in regards to football and life,” Tomlin said. “We don’t run away from that. We run to that organizationally when we draft guys. We’re committed to being a component of their growth and development in all areas. It is very much a work in progress, and so it is continual, it’s not going to be one incident or one meeting or one form of discipline that’s going to institute the type of change that we’re hunting.
“To be quite honest with you, it is going to be continual,” Tomlin added. “He is aware of that. We meet on a routine basis.”
Pickens is coming off of his first 1,000-yard season in the league. He posted 1,140 yards on 63 receptions with five touchdowns as the Steelers went 10-7.
Despite the alleged confrontation Thursday, Pickens still put on a show for those in attendance on Friday. He caught a 25+ yard reception from Justin Fields, which earned applause from the rapt audience.
Russell Wilson praises Steelers receivers
Quarterback Russell Wilson reported Wednesday to training camp and had high praise to share for his receivers, including Pickens, after hosting several for a private workout.
“We’ve got a lot of playmakers, really excited,” said the new Steelers quarterback. “GP (George Pickens) is a special player because he can do a lot of great things, just watching the film, training with him, throwing with him, seeing all those things he can do.”
“I’ve spent a lot of time in the off season, just throwing … watching guys like Quez Watkins … I’m excited for (rookie) Roman Wilson, see what he can do,” Wilson added. “He’s a guy who has been a champion in college. It’s one thing to do at the highest level of college, it’s another thing to do it at the highest level of the NFL. I think he has that mentality, wanting to be that every day.
“There’s a lot of other guys, too. Marquez Calloway is fighting … a lot of other great players.”