Pittsburgh Steelers star wide receiver George Pickens has been accused of being late to practices and games before. On Tuesday, Steelers insider Mike DeFabo reported that Pickens showed up 35 minutes late to the Christmas Day game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin requires players to be present two hours before kickoff, but according to DeFabo, Pickens was not on time for the game.
When Tomlin addressed the media on Tuesday, he was asked about the new report regarding Pickens' tardiness. As he often does when questions about Pickens arise, Tomlin acted as though he couldn't remember the details of the situation. His response, or lack thereof, raised eyebrows, especially considering the ongoing concerns about Pickens' discipline and consistency.
This incident further adds to the questions surrounding Pickens' professionalism, as it’s not the first time he has been scrutinized for arriving late. Tomlin’s nonchalant reaction only fuels the speculation, leaving fans and analysts wondering whether this behavior could impact the young receiver’s future with the team.
"Man that is a few days back," Tomlin told the media. "I really don’t know if I have an answer to that to be quite honest with you. I have a lot going on in pre-game. I can’t answer that definitively."
Tomlin likely had good intentions behind his response to the question about Pickens. He understands the type of person Pickens is better than anyone. The media has often given Pickens a hard time, and much of the negative attention surrounding him isn’t entirely fair.
While there are valid critiques of Pickens, he’s a 23-year-old star wide receiver who’s been playing in a struggling offense for three seasons. It’s understandable that he would be frustrated, and that likely plays a role in the narrative surrounding him.
Tomlin has protected Pickens in the past but hasn’t been afraid to call him out when necessary. After Pickens committed two costly penalties against the Cincinnati Bengals, Tomlin publicly stated that he needed to grow up fast. The challenge for Tomlin is balancing Pickens’ undeniable talent with the need for discipline. As the Steelers' best offensive player, Pickens holds significant value, but his behavior still needs to be addressed.
Steelers Might Try To Trade George Pickens In 2025
If the Steelers ultimately trade Pickens or choose not to extend him after his rookie deal, it would suggest that there were issues behind the scenes that the organization noticed. However, if they do extend him, much of the drama could be written off as media hype. The recent report about Pickens' tardiness, coupled with Tomlin's concerning response, raises questions.
Pickens is one of the league’s most talented players, but if his attitude and effort continue to be inconsistent, the Steelers won’t tolerate it for long. Tomlin may also be carefully navigating these situations in case the team decides to trade Pickens during the 2025 season, ensuring they get a solid return.
Pickens has been the lone bright spot in an offense that has struggled for far too long. Parting ways with a talent like him would be a major disappointment. Many view Pickens as one of the most gifted wide receivers in the NFL. However, Steelers fans are divided on whether he deserves a massive contract extension or if the team should consider trading him in 2025. This decision will be a defining moment, and fans are eager to see which direction the Steelers will take.
