The Pittsburgh Steelers offense has been in a funk for the entire 2023 NFL season. In Week 9, it seemed like the unit might have played it's best game of the year in the victory over the Tennessee Titans. The production might not have been through the roof, but Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada definitely called his best game of the year and the Steelers offense left some points on the board after settling for field goals. Despite the improvements on offense, second-year wide receiver George Pickens was visibly frustrated during and after the game.
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Steelers wide receiver fumes while Diontae Johnson celebrates on sidelines.
Steelers' Mike Tomlin Defends Pickens
Ever since the end of the game against the Titans, Pickens has been an off-the-field distraction for the Steelers. He deleted everything Steelers related off of his social media accounts, started unfollowing teammates, and even posted a story on Instagram stating "Free me" possibly insinuating he doesn't want to be on the Steelers anymore. Reports later came out that Pickens was the most upset with second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett for not getting him the ball more, and even missing him on a crossing route early on in the game against the Titans.
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Steelers' George Pickens upset with quarterback Kenny Pickett?
These are the very easy ways that people outside of the organization have been able to tell that Pickens is frustrated with is role within the offense. He also didn't celebrate with fellow receiver Diontae Johnson after he scored his first touchdown since 2021. Instead, he hung his head and ran off to the sidelines and seemed frustrated the rest of the game. Head Coach Mike Tomlin was asked if Pickens has expressed his frustration to him at all in his press conference on Tuesday.
"Heck yeah he expresses his frustration all the time. He wants to be a reason why we are successful. I won't begrudge that. I want guys that want the football. That's a non-issue."
Tomlin was quick to dismiss any notion that the team was having an issue with Pickens. He answered the question with a smile, showing that he truly does love the way Pickens just wants to be one of the reasons the Steelers win football games.
Tomlin spoke more about why Pickens might be frustrated, which is because he is being double teamed so much by the defense. This is a main reason he has had such a drop in production over the last two games.
"That's just everyday business when you got a dynamic guy. He dictates oftentimes that it is two-on-one football. So since it's an 11-on-11 game, when he's getting that kind of attention, Diontae [Johnson] is going to have an opportunity for volume catches, you're going to have an opportunity to have a light box and your run game is going to have an opportunity to be effective for example. We appreciate his talents and we appreciate what people do to minimize his talents. But we function as a collective."
Tomlin pointed out how important Pickens is to the team, even when he is not getting targeted in the passing game. Pickett said something similar when pointing out that Pickens does not get enough credit for what he does on the football field. Him getting double teamed really opens up the run game and the rest of the passing game.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers receiver George Pickens has shown in 2023 that despite his talent, there is still a great deal of maturing left to do.
The Steelers organization and Tomlin have had to deal with a lot of immature players over the year, mainly Antonio Brown. Due to this, Pickens deleting his social media and posting some questionable Instagram stories does not really phase the coaching staff or the front office. Tomlin clarified this when he was asked about Pickens' off-the-field actions and how difficult it is to deal with a player like that.
"It's easy. I know it's a cute story for you guys, but it is a pebble in my shoe to be quite honest with you in terms of all the things I have to do to get this group ready this week. Our focus is on the Green Bay Packers and what we are all going to do in this football game, and I can't state it any plainer than that. It's like reality television the way you guys follow social media and write stories about it."
Tomlin clearly down plays Pickens deleting every Steelers-related post off of his social media and unfollowing many of his teammates. It shows how minuscule of an issue it truly is in the grand scheme of things in comparison to preparing for an NFL game. The Steelers will take on the Green Bay Packers in Week 10 who have a record of 3-5 so far in 2023. The Steelers also have an extra couple of days to prepare for them since they played on Thursday Night Football in Week 9, so hopefully the offense looks improved and Pickett finds a way to get Pickens more involved.
What do you think of Tomlin's comments on his young wide receiver? Let us know in the comments below!
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