The Pittsburgh Steelers had a fourth straight game to forget when they fell to the Cincinnati Bengals 19-17 on Saturday night. This loss to close out the regular season finished the Steelers with a 10-7 record. It was a shocking turn of events before the Steelers were 10-3, and now they enter the playoffs with significant regression. The sudden collapse raises concerns about the team’s momentum heading into the postseason, especially after such a strong start to the year.
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During the game, star wide receiver George Pickens was not himself. He was targeted six times, but had just one catch for zero yards, a performance that stood in stark contrast to his usual playmaking abilities. Pickens dropped passes he normally hauls in, and Bengals defensive backs were able to make some excellent plays to prevent him from finding any rhythm. It was a frustrating night for the young receiver, who couldn’t make the impact the Steelers desperately needed.
Early in the game, the broadcast showed Pickens being calmed down by tight end Pat Freiermuth as he was visibly upset, yelling at fans. On Monday, Mike Tomlin was asked about the incident, but delivered an alarming response. Tomlin's lack of knowledge with the Pickens situation or explanation raised eyebrows, as it suggested deeper issues with the team’s mental state and focus as they prepare for the playoffs.
"I have no idea what you are referring to so that is news to me," Tomlin said. "I would be speculating if I commented on it in any way."
Fans quickly took to social media after hearing Tomlin claim he had no idea what the reporter was referring to when asked about Pickens being held back by Freiermuth to stop telling a fan to fight him.
The first thing to note is that Tomlin likely knows exactly what the reporter was talking about, but has already addressed the issue internally and wants to move forward. In his mind, any further attention to the matter will only fuel more discussion, and he’s focused on keeping the conversation on the field and not in the media.
Steelers' Mike Tomlin Is Likely Being Deceptive With The Media
Tomlin probably understands that giving this situation more airtime could have lingering effects, and he doesn't want his star receiver caught up in negative headlines. Given Tomlin's history of being strategic and sometimes deceptive with the media, it’s safe to assume that he knows exactly what happened, but is choosing not to comment further. His priority is ensuring that Pickens remains focused and avoids distractions as the team prepares for their playoff run.
However, Tomlin’s refusal to address the situation at all has left some fans concerned. With the Steelers facing the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the playoffs, it will be crucial to see how Pickens responds.
After what was arguably the worst game of his career on Saturday night, and a second disappointing primetime performance this season, Pickens needs to bounce back. If he and Russell Wilson can finally click, the Steelers have a shot at beating the Ravens, but if not, their playoff hopes could quickly be dashed.
