In 2023, the modern passing game is all about separation. Getting the ball to your most explosive playmakers in space so they can make something happen. It makes your wide receivers valuable and helps prevent your quarterback from throwing costly interceptions.
George Pickens is pushing back against this concept. Instead of adopting the new-school philosophy of complicated timing routes and doing whatever it takes to get open, he’s going old school. Just throw it up, it doesn’t matter who is covering me, I’ll go get it. Classic backyard football.
Newly signed CB Patrick Peterson watched this at training camp every day and observed the budding rivalry between Pickens and rookie CB Joey Porter Jr.