2024 Steelers Exit Interviews: George Pickens and Mike Williams
The Pittsburgh Steelers 2024 NFL season has come to a close. Because the Steelers are among the 31 teams who did not finish fulfilling their ultimate goal, they are in the process of wrapping up their season and moving forward into 2025.
Since the Steelers conduct exit interviews with all their players, and the fact I have done these articles in the past, we thought we would do them yet again here at Steel Curtain Network. By outlining two players each day, we will be able to look at their season in retrospect as well as looking toward the future. Since Coach Tomlin has previously stated he starts his interviews with rookies and those heading into free agency, we will attempt to do the same to some degree. To start, we will pair the most recent draftees with another player at the same position (if possible) as we work through this process to eventually cover the entire Steelers roster.
Next up are wide receivers George Pickens and Mike Williams.
George Pickens
Position: Wide Receivers
Years with the Steelers: 3
Years in the NFL: 3
Contract Status: Signed through 2025
Contract Details: $4,097,670 salary cap hit for 2025. Would cost the Steelers $522,670 in dead money if released and save $3,575,000.
Games played in 2024: 14 regular season
Games started in 2024: 12 regular season
Snaps (regular season): 774 (offense), 2 (special teams)
PFF score: 78.6 (24th of 133)
Notable stats: Pickens had 59 receptions on 103 targets for 900 yards and three touchdowns. He also had two carries for -6 yards and a fumble.
Notes: It’s so hard to make the right call with George Pickens. Yes, he’s super talented. Yes, he appears to be a major headache. So what are the Steelers to do? Do they sign him to a contract extension this offseason? Do they let Pickens simply play out the last year of his rookie deal and see what happens? Do they look to trade him while they can get something for him? I wish I knew the answer.
Mike Williams
Position: Wide Receivers
Years with the Steelers: 1
Years in the NFL: 8
Contract Status: Free Agent
Contract Details: Contract expiring with no dead money.
Games played in 2024: 9 regular season (9 with Jets)
Games started in 2024: 3 regular season (2 with Jets)
Snaps (regular season): 171 (offense; 301 with Jets))
PFF score: 58.8 (108th of 133)
Notable stats: Williams had 9 receptions on 13 targets for 132 yards and a touchdown. He also had 12 receptions on 21 targets for 166 yards and no touchdowns with the Jets.
Notes: I like when the Steelers picked up Mike Williams at the trade deadline this past season. What I didn’t like is how little he was utilized down the stretch. Even if he wasn’t getting the ball, at least he could be used as a decoy on a deep route. Even better, when the Steelers are facing fourth and long and basically having to throw a jump ball, he’s the guy you want on the field with George Pickens. Yet he wasn’t. Additionally, two of the Steelers final four regular season games Williams was only on the field when the Steelers were passing the ball. Talk about tipping your hand. And in the playoffs, he only saw nine snaps in the game. I would be all for Williams joining the Steelers again in 2025, but only if they actually utilize him. Otherwise, what’s the point?
Make sure you check back each day for another set of exit interviews. If you have missed any of the previous articles, they are listed here:
Troy Fautanu & Broderick Jones
Zach Frazier & Ryan McCollum
Roman Wilson & Van Jefferson
Payton Wilson & Patrick Queen
Mason McCormick & James Daniels
Logan Lee & Isaiahh Loudermilk
Ryan Watts & Damontae Kazee
Joey Porter Jr. & James Pierre
Keeanu Benton & Montravius Adams
Darnell Washington & Pat Freiermuth
Nick Herbig & Jeremiah Moon
Cory Trice Jr. & Donte Jackson
Spencer Anderson & Calvin Anderson
Larry Ogunjobi & Preston Smith
Beanie Bishop Jr. & Cameron Sutton
I could be wrong, but I swear there were times where the Eagles were only rushing 3, and creating pressure. I don’t know if one of the guys dropped into coverage, or was ran off the TV screen by a Chiefs lineman, replay was not helpful when I thought I noticed it.
Fangio has the best 4 D lineman in the game. Why take a guy out of coverage to blitz Mahomes when 4 are absolutely dominating? I wouldn’t have blitzed either.
Not sure why this posted here. Probably operator error.
Williams can make a lot of the catches Pickens makes. Not as many, but if you can get a 2nd or 3rd plus for Pickens, I’m taking it and trying to bring Williams back as a jump ball receiver. I’m tired of the Pickens experiment
I would not look to bring Mike Williams back, he has certainly has lost a step and doesn’t provide any versatility outside of running go balls. I would be happy to try bring in a younger deep threat profile for sure if you move off GP.
I don’t think Pickens does much more than go balls. Yes, at an elite level, but I think the point I’m trying to make is that if you can get a second or third round pick for Pickens, take it, because Williams can do some of what Pickens can at a fraction of the capital
One thing to remember with Williams was last season was year 1 post ACL. You will know pretty early this year if he has anything left. I wouldn’t mind having him in the room. I think he would be cheap and with a full camp would be useful.
If GP is sold, legacy media will just pick a new villain. Believe it or not, Pickens appears to handle the never ending microscope on him better than most. I think it would be a mistake to move on.