Steelers' George Pickens slams EA over Madden NFL 25 rating - "The league is playing with me"

George Pickens is not happy with his Madden NFL 25 rating. In a mid-field interview with Prospect Media on Friday, the Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver claimed that he should have received a higher score than 83 (out of 99).

“When I see that, I was like, ‘Oh my God. The league is playing with me.’ They are really playing with me,” Pickens said (per heavy.).

Pickens also complained about not having any bonus attributes like "X-factor":

“I’ve got no abilities. X-factor, that comes with 90 overall type. But no abilities? No superstar? 91 speed, you know, I’m really like 94 speed.”

George Pickens is one player to keep a keen eye on in the upcoming season. He exploded for 1,140 yards and five touchdowns from 63 catches in the 2023-24 season, establishing himself as one of the league's most promising young wideouts.

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How current Steelers practice differs from last year's, according to George Pickens

From the virtual world back to the real, it looks as if George Pickens will have to play as if he were in a video game this season. His supposed backfield partner Diontae Johnson is gone, making him the WR1 for the first time in his career.

That increased responsibility has seemingly served to change his attitude towards the game, as his past prolificness was also marred by concerns over his work ethic.

"I would probably say in previous years, strictly my first year, it was just more you know, guys having their way," Pickens said (via Steeler Nation). Defense is on one side and offense is on one side. You can lose a competition that way. You know what I mean? From both sides, guys forget to compete. This year, you know, we are just competing to the highest level."

He also praised the "super super good" defensive backs:

"We got JP [Joey Porter Jr.] of course, and a new guy, Donte Jackson (who was acquired in the Diontae Johnson trade) - super good, fast, twitchy DB. We still have a lot of older guys that we had from injury last year. [Cory] Trice, Cam Sutton - we got him back. He played for the Steelers for like four or five years."

The Steelers begin their preseason against the Houston Texans on August 9.