LATROBE, Pa. (AP)

— In his third season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, wide receiver George Pickens is stepping up as a leader on and off the field. Recently, he made a significant impact by connecting with a local resident, Walker, who is battling sarcoma and named Pickens as his favorite player during a visit facilitated by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. At just 23 years old, Pickens stands out as the Steelers' longest-tenured wide receiver and the only one on the roster to have achieved a 1,000-yard season. Despite facing challenges last season, including a midseason slump where he struggled to reach 100 yards in eight consecutive games, Pickens showcased his potential in critical moments. He recorded a career-high 195 receiving yards and two touchdowns in a must-win game against Cincinnati, followed by another impressive performance with 131 yards against Seattle. His ability to energize the team is noted by teammates, who emphasize that his enthusiasm is contagious. The Steelers have bolstered their receiving corps this offseason by adding veteran players such as Van Jefferson and Scotty Miller. While Pickens aims to lead by example, he faced scrutiny for his effort during certain plays last season. Additionally, a recent verbal confrontation with first-year receiving coach Zach Azzanni raised eyebrows, but Pickens downplayed the incident. As the season progresses, Pickens is focused on maximizing his on-field performance while enhancing his leadership role within the offense. His potential is recognized by peers, who believe he has the capability to become a top-five receiver in the league.