Steelers Star's 'Heated Exchange' With Coach Sparks Trade Buzz

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens may be a few flare-ups away from being on the trade hot seat.

Pickens and Steelers wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni reportedly got into a "heated exchange" earlier this week. According to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Ray Fittipaldo, Pickens "didn’t take kindly to Azzanni’s words" after the veteran coached called out his new star wideout during practice ( H/T Pro Football Talk ).

Azzanni had nothing but praises for Pickens over a month ago. The coach stated during an interview with Steelers.com that even "Ray Charles can see that" the sky is the limit for Pickens.

But Azzanni has also developed a reputation as a hard-nosed coach who isn't afraid to call out his players. Azzanni has seven years of NFL experience coaching wide receivers with stints on the Denver Broncos and the Chicago Bears. The Steelers may have hired him in February exactly to challenge the team's pass-catchers -- Pickens included.

If Pickens doesn't shape up, Azzanni believes that the "writing on the wall" could be obvious. The reporter recently appeared on 93.7 The Fan and suggested that Pickens could be moved if he doesn't "act in a more appropriate manner on and off the field."

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