Steelers' George Pickens Is Now Being Investigated By The NFL Once Again

The Pittsburgh Steelers are constantly in the headlines, especially ever since the 2024 season got underway. This is mainly because of the team's complex quarterback situation, as well as the team shattering expectations for the year as it currently has the lead in the AFC North. Another reason Pittsburgh is a constant talking point of the national media is third-year wide receiver George Pickens. The pass-catcher has consistently been climbing the ranks of the wide receivers in the NFL, but he also gets himself into some trouble with some of his antics.

Pickens is known to be very passionate, but he doesn't always display that in the best way. Throughout his career, he has been seen throwing tantrums on the sideline, showing poor body language, or fighting with defenders on the field. That continued on Thursday Night Football in Week 12 when the Steelers lost to the Cleveland Browns. 

Pickens was seen fighting with defensive back Greg Newsome II on the final Hail Mary, and it has been reported that the NFL is now reviewing the actions from the wide receiver. This was initially reported by Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. 

"The NFL will review George Pickens instigating a fight with Browns cornerback Greg Newsome after the Hail Mary at the end of the Browns 24-19 upset of the Steelers, and a fine could be coming." Cabot wrote.

This isn't unexpected. Pickens looked like he was beginning to fight Newsome while the ball was still in play on the Hail Mary, and the fighting was certainly intentional. The fight was malicious and both players were involved, but it definitely seemed like the wide receiver instigated the fight and was the one that started it.

This isn't the first time that Pickens has been reviewed or investigated by the league during the 2024 season. The third-year wide receiver was also investigated after Pittsburgh lost its Week 5 contest with the Dallas Cowboys. Pickens wore eye-black that had an explicit message written on it, and he also got into a fight with a Dallas defensive back after the final whistle sounded. This type of behavior seems like it is becoming a trend, which is a bit concerning.

Pickens probably had multiple instances during the matchup with the Browns that could be investigated. One being the fight with Newsome that came after the final whistle, and the other being an incident that happened at the beginning of the fourth quarter. 

The incident involved Pickens and Grant Delpit, and Delpit was given an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after ripping Pickens' mouthpiece off of his face mask. Delpit went back to the video of the incident and posted it on social media where he showed that Pickens actually tried to trip him after the play.

Steelers' George Pickens Will Likely Face A Fine From The NFL

Pickens has already been fined three times during the 2024 season. He was fined twice after the game against the Cowboys, once for the message on his eye black and once for grabbing a defender's face mask after the final whistle. Pickens was also fined after Pittsburgh's game against the Washington Commanders for another face mask violation. In total, Pickens has been fined $37,344 during the 2024 season, and that number will surely go up after the NFL takes a look at his behavior from Week 12.

Fines don't get announced until the week after a game, but Pickens should absolutely be expecting some mail from the league office. This is the type of behavior from Pickens that should get the organization worried about the level of majority the receiver has, and these types of situations will certainly be brought up when he is up for a new contract.