George Pickens, the Pittsburgh Steelers' star wide receiver, ran fewer routes than most of his teammates during their game against the Dallas Cowboys. This raised eyebrows, as Pickens is widely regarded as the Steelers' most dangerous offensive weapon. Why would Head Coach Mike Tomlin limit his time on the field?
After the game, Tomlin clarified that there was nothing going on with Pickens. He explained that he chose to give the young receiver fewer snaps and routes to ensure higher quality reps, comparing it to how they occasionally rest veterans like TJ Watt or Cam Heyward. However, the situation with Pickens is different. As a young star, every rep matters, and some speculate he may be facing some form of internal discipline.
Adding fuel to the speculation, Pickens arrived at the game with an aggressive message written on his eye black, declaring that he’s always open. Yet, against the Cowboys, he was targeted seven times, managing just three receptions for 26 yards. After the game, Pickens declined to speak to the media, and on Monday, ESPN’s Brooke Pryor reported that he remained unavailable for interviews.
As Pryor noted, Pickens' actions violate NFL rules. He skipped postgame media availability and declined to speak on Monday, marking two instances within 24 hours where he breached the league's media policies.
During the game, viral videos surfaced showing Pickens displaying minimal effort on several routes, where it seemed like he was jogging rather than putting in the extra effort to get open. His frustration was evident, with his attitude clearly visible on the sidelines.
Tensions boiled over on the final play of the game when Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis taunted Pickens, getting in his face. In response, Pickens twisted Lewis' facemask. While nobody likes being taunted, it's another example of Pickens needing to keep his emotions in check.
The most frustrating thing for Steeler Nation about Pickens is that they know just how great he can be. Since his rookie season, Pickens has been a rising star in the league. Now, in his third season, many expected him to step up and show real leadership.
As the only true star in the wide receiver corps, an off game for Pickens often means an off game for the entire offense, which was the case on Sunday night.
Steelers' Zach Azzanni Losing Control Of George Pickens
If Pickens could consistently show a positive attitude and effort, he’d be adored in the Steel City. However, despite multiple opportunities, he’s struggled to emerge as a leader. During the 2024 offseason, tensions flared between Pickens and new Wide Receivers Coach Zach Azzanni, with the two engaging in a heated exchange. Azzanni was brought in with hopes of helping Pickens take that next step, but so far, the results haven’t materialized fully.
Many fans thought Pickens had finally turned a corner, but his performance against the Cowboys showed there’s still work to be done. On the field, Pickens can be a great talent when he chooses to be, but his frustration often seems to take him out of games.
He’s a passionate player who, at times, gives maximum effort, yet he has a few key flaws that need correcting if he wants to secure a long-term future in Pittsburgh. Steelers fans now await Pickens' response whenever he makes himself available to the media.
