Russell Wilson spent only one season in Pittsburgh, but it was long enough for him to build a bond with one of the league’s most polarizing young wide receivers, George Pickens.
Now, with Wilson in New York and Pickens traded to Dallas, the two ex-Steelers will face off twice a year in the NFC East. But the quarterback is still firmly in Pickens’ corner, brushing aside the outside noise and backing the young wideout’s character and potential.
Russell Wilson Defends George Pickens’ Talent and Personality
On Thursday’s episode of 7PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony, Wilson got candid about what it was like sharing a locker room with Pickens.
“Man, I love George,” Wilson said. “His ability to catch the football is one of a kind. Anything in his vicinity, he’s going to catch it. Hopefully he doesn’t catch none of them against us. On a serious note, he’s misunderstood.”
“He wants to be great, you know? I think, also, too, his ability, where he can take it from not just being great, to being one of the world’s best, I think he has that in him.”
Russell Wilson clears the air on his relationships with George Pickens & Mike Tomlin during his Steelers tenure 👀 pic.twitter.com/MtAp5Kyg0D
— 7PM in Brooklyn (@7PMinBrooklyn) May 29, 2025
That greatness flashed throughout the 2024 season. Pickens exploded once Wilson returned from injury in Week 7. From that point on, he caught 33 passes for 537 yards and all three of his touchdowns. His debut with Wilson — a 111-yard, one-score performance against the Jets — set the tone for a productive, albeit turbulent, run.
Pickens missed three games with a hamstring injury but still managed 87 yards and a touchdown in the Steelers’ Wild Card loss to Baltimore, a game that ended their season and their short-lived partnership.
Can Pickens Thrive in Dallas After Troubled Pittsburgh Tenure?
Despite undeniable talent, Pickens couldn’t stay out of his own way in Pittsburgh. He racked up unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, had multiple sideline outbursts, and even lashed out at fans during the regular-season finale.
Still, Wilson doesn’t see a problem child, just a young player learning how to channel his fire. “He has the ability to go from being great to one of the world’s best,” Wilson added.
The Cowboys, who landed Pickens on May 7, reportedly believe their culture can help him reach that ceiling. Whether that pans out remains to be seen, especially after failing to find consistency under Mike Tomlin, one of the most respected coaches in the game.
It’s also unclear if Wilson ever lobbied Giants brass to pursue Pickens, even though New York desperately needs playmakers. But Wilson’s public support sends a message: he still believes in his former teammate’s upside, even if they’re now on opposite sidelines.
