Training camp is winding down, but it doesn’t mean headlines aren’t still flying out of places like Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA. Well, to be honest, this headline didn’t come from Pittsburgh Steelers camp, but from a player who now covers the NFL for ESPN, and a former member of the Steelers. Mr. Ryan Clark.

While on NFL Live, Clark made a bold statement surrounding Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens. In case you didn’t see the quote, it’s below in the tweet from our Steel Curtain Network Twitter feed:

Wow 😳 Thoughts?? #Steelers #Vikings pic.twitter.com/YqYTsAjPva

— Steel Curtain Network (@SteelCNetwork) August 16, 2023

To be fair to Clark, he never said Pickens was better than Jefferson, who is arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL today, but that he was more talented. Some might consider this mincing words, but this statement certainly caused a buzz on social media Wednesday.

Following Steelers training camp practice, Patrick Peterson was asked about Clark’s comments. Peterson is the perfect person to answer this question considering he played two seasons in Minnesota with Jefferson, and now is tasked with guarding Pickens every day in practice while with the Steelers.

Peterson answered it like the veteran he is, and gave props to both receivers. When it came down to it, Peterson actually agreed with Clark’s assessment. While Jefferson might be better, Pickens has more talent at the position.

Check out the clip via Chris Carter of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

Patrick Peterson was asked about Ryan Clark’s comments on #Steelers George Pickens being more talent than Justin Jefferson.

Bottom line, he agreed: pic.twitter.com/E7zaqZuTWw

— Christopher Carter (@CarterCritiques) August 16, 2023

The comparisons with Pickens to other high-end receivers absolutely will continue, but what needs to happen in-season are plays made which garner these comparisons and deem them legitimate. In other words, Pickens will have to show up and show out, like Jefferson has done since he entered the league, to truly justify lofty comparisons like this one.

Will Kenny Pickett and the Matt Canada offense be able to not just highlight Pickens’ skill set, but boost the entire offense into the top levels of the NFL? That seems to be the ultimate question heading into the 2023 regular season.

Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the rest of the 2023 NFL preseason.