The Pittsburgh Steelers' first practice of training camp took place on Thursday and it saw wide receiver George Pickens and new wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni get into what was described as a "heated exchange."
According to Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittburgh Post-Gazette, Pickens and Azzanni got into it after the assistant coach wasn't pleased with the way the wide receiver "executed his assignment."
Pickens wasn't happy with Azzanni's reaction and the two exchanged words about it. Fittipaldo notes that Pickens was "visibly upset" after the exchange.
Here's more from Fittipaldo:
New receivers coach Zach Azzanni and George Pickens got into a heated exchange late in practice when Azzanni didn’t like the way Pickens executed his assignment.
Pickens didn’t take kindly to Azzanni’s words. Some of the other receivers approached Pickens after the exchange, but Pickens was visibly upset.
It’s not a secret the Steelers were unhappy with their receivers last season. They jettisoned Diontae Johnson to the Panthers in exchange for Donte Jackson. There is hope Pickens can reach his full potential under the new offensive staff, but if Thursday was any indication, he’s going to be coached a lot different than he was in his first two NFL seasons when Frisman Jackson was the receivers coach.
It isn't clear what Azzanni said exactly to tick Pickens off and if his frustration was justified. It could just be as simple as Pickens not liking the difference in approach from what he's used to in Pittsburgh, but we can't say for sure.
MORE: Standouts, takeaways from Day 1 of camp
Pickens is coming off a breakout campaign in which he tallied a career-best 1,140 yards and five touchdowns, which was made more impressive by the fact that the Steelers had a mess under center and along the offensive line.
He is especially important to the Steelers this season, as the team has a very shaky receiving corps. behind him.
