Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens admitted that he didn’t know how much backup quarterback Mason Rudolph would utilize him in their Week 17 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. However, the wideout trusted his QB and had only one thing in his mind throughout: make the best play whenever the ball is heading his way.
That is exactly what Pickens did as he recorded one of his best games of the season on Saturday. Despite having just four catches, he made every one of it count, tallying 195 yards and two touchdowns as the Steelers went away with the 34-11 victory.
One of the highlights of the game for Pickens was his 86-yard catch-and-run touchdown in just the team’s second play from scrimmage, allowing the Steelers to set the tone offensively en route to the dominant win.
GEORGE PICKENS 86 YARDS‼️
(via @steelers)pic.twitter.com/obWdDuJ0jC
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 23, 2023
After the game, George Pickens was asked about his connection with Mason Rudolph, who was making his first start of the season and first since 2021 amid Kenny Pickett’s injury and Mitchell Trubisky’s struggles. Pickens then confessed that he was only hoping that his QB would give him a “chance”–emphasizing that he didn’t know to whom Rudolph would throw at all.
“I was just hoping he’d give me a chance,” Pickens revealed, via Brenna White of NFL.com. “You never know where he’ll throw the ball, so I didn’t have a full idea. But anytime he throwing the ball, I’m going to try to make the best play.”
Pickens was full of compliments for Rudolph and his ability to make big plays, however. The 22-year-old wideout shared that he has always known what his QB is capable of, and he simply trusted him to deliver the ball onto his hands.
Aside from their 86-yard play in the first quarter, the duo connected for another deep pass in the third quarter, culminating to a 66-yard touchdown.
“Mason’s always been doing that. Kind of like how I said about Mitch, about KP he was behind Mitch. Those guys, they always follow their job and do their role pretty good and Mason’s been doing that the whole time,” added Pickens, who was on the headlines for the wrong reasons recently.
It’s definitely great to see both Pickens and Rudolph build an early connection like they did on Saturday. Sure enough, that will be crucial as the Pittsburgh Steelers attempt to keep their postseason hopes alive.
Mason Rudolph Has High Praise of Pittsburgh Steelers WR George Pickens As Well
George Pickens isn’t the only one with high praises for his Pittsburgh Steelers teammate, though. Mason Rudolph reciprocated the respect and admiration he got, as he highlighted how impactful Pickens was in the win over the Bengals.
Rudolph was happy with his connection with Pickens, especially in their first touchdown in the game that really got them going.
“A fast start. No matter whether you’re in high school, college or pro, it makes a difference,” Rudolph shared. “And especially when we’re at this venue at home, gets the crowd into it. To get a guy like George going early. His run-after-catch ability is just second to none, so it was a pretty cool view as I tried to chase him down from behind.”
Hopefully, Rudolph and Pickens can replicate that success come Week 17 when they play the Seattle Seahawks.
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