Russell Wilson of the Pittsburgh Steelers delivers a powerful message to George Pickens

PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Steelers and head coach Mike Tomlin risked derailing the season after a 4-2 start with Justin Fields at quarterback. But as the clock reached zero, Russell Wilson made history in his first start for Pittsburgh, leading the offense to 37 points and showing a strong connection with third-year wide receiver George Pickens.

Pickens had a solid year with Fields as his quarterback. Before Sunday night’s game against the Jets, Pickens had 26 catches for 363 yards but no touchdowns. In Wilson’s first start, Pickens’ season took a turn.

After three points on the first drive, the Steelers and Wilson made three straight three-pointers, with Pickens scoring just once in the flat. After hearing it from Steelers fans, Wilson and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith went into the game, saw Pickens one-on-one with a defensive back not named Sauce Gardner across from him, and took a shot.

Pickens caught Wilson’s 44-yard pass with one hand and his chest, an incredible play that has become common for #14. After Pickens sent a defensive pass interference call on Gardner two drives later, Wilson threw Pickens his first touchdown of the year on a fade at the goal line.

“First of all, this guy is an absolute rock star,” Wilson said at Pickens. “He is a superstar on the field in terms of everything he can do. (Pickens has) just unbelievable talent. I saw him play in Georgia and was like, ‘Who is this guy?'”

Pickens’ talent is rarely denied – the Georgia product is the clear No. 1 option for the Steelers’ passing attack. However, Pickens found himself in the headlines because of various concerns about his level of running and blocking, his maturity after a turnover and/or a loss, and his social media antics. Wilson, the veteran, recognizes that Pickens, a third-year player and just 23 years old, faces intense scrutiny and hears that criticism.

“I had a lot of really great conversations with George,” Wilson said. “The criticism of him will always be real because when everyone knows you’re a star, they’re always looking for something to blow you away with.”

Wilson offered Pickens words of wisdom and is doing his best to show the young receiver the right path forward. Even as Wilson offers advice, he acknowledges the positive energy Pickens brings to the Steelers.

“The best thing about George is that he loves this game. He is a light in the room in the room. When he puts on his big old smile, comes on the field, throws the first at-bat, everything goes crazy.”

On The Rich Eisen Show, Wilson summarized the words he said to Pickens leading up to their monster game against the Jets, in which Pickens had five catches for 111 yards and a touchdown.

“God has given you incredible talent. Use everything,” Wilson said. “Understand that you are not focusing on anything external, just focus on the moment. I’ve really stuck with George and been tough on him and he’s coping well with it. He gets along well with everything. It’s like, ‘Hey, we gotta do it.’ Extra work, man. We have to take our time before training. We have to talk about it. He was incredible in that regard. The last few weeks have been remarkable considering his maturity, maturity and mentality.

There are constant rumors that the Steelers would trade for a wide receiver to complement Pickens. If Pickens and Wilson continue to demonstrate such a positive connection, particularly on long passes down the field, and the Steelers continue to improve their 5-2 record with Wilson at the helm, perhaps the scrutiny will stop and the criticism will subside.

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