Steelers' Mitch Trubisky Spoke About Strong Frustrations From George Pickens "Everyone Has To Manage Their Emotions"

The Pittsburgh Steelers found themselves making unwanted history on Thursday Night Football, suffering a 21-18 loss to the New England Patriots. This defeat marked a significant low point for the team, as they became the first NFL franchise ever with a winning record to lose consecutive games to teams that were eight or more games under .500.

Steelers' Trubisky Addresses Pickens’ Frustration

Following the disheartening loss, Steelers quarterback Mitch Trubisky took to the podium during his postgame press conference. Questions arose about the visible frustration displayed by wide receiver George Pickens throughout the game, and Trubisky offered insights into the situation.

“I try to talk to G on the sidelines. Obviously, he’s frustrated. We are all frustrated. The game didn’t go down how we wanted it. We would like to get him the ball more and get him going. He’s a special talent. Everyone has to manage their emotions, and we got to drive in the same direction in order to be successful.”

It's no secret that Pickens has endured a frustrating season. The Steelers' offense has struggled in numerous aspects, leaving Pickens with valid reasons for his discontent. Trubisky delved further into his thoughts on the loss and Pickens' emotional response.

“He cares, man. He cares. He shows it in different ways, and those frustrations come out, but everyone’s frustrated. But I talked to him and gave it some time. We will come back tomorrow and go back to work. That’s all I know how to do.”

Steelers Offensive Struggles Continue

The 2023 season has been a challenging one for the Steelers' offense. With Kenny Pickett sidelined due to injury, Trubisky has been tasked with quarterbacking the team, and the transition appeared far from seamless. In Thursday night's game, Trubisky completed 22 of 35 passes for 190 yards, recording a touchdown and an interception. His quarterback rating stood at a disappointing 46.6. The rushing game struggled to gain traction against a formidable Patriots defense, with Trubisky leading the way on the ground, accumulating 30 yards and a touchdown.

One obvious remedy for the Steelers' ailing offense is to involve Pickens more effectively and frequently. Despite being targeted six times throughout the game, it's crucial to note that in a pass-heavy offense where the quarterback is throwing the ball more than 30 times, Pickens should ideally be the recipient of 10 or more targets. Additionally, the Steelers struggled to implement routes that align with Pickens' style of play.

Pickens, a gifted wide receiver, has spent the majority of the season frustrated by his limited impact. In the 2023 season, he has managed to grab 49 receptions for 767 yards and three touchdowns. Unfortunately, the Steelers' new offensive coordinator tandem of Eddie Faulkner and Mike Sullivan struggled to incorporate Pickens into the offensive game plan effectively on Thursday night. Pickens caught five passes for just 19 yards. 

An illustrative example of a backup quarterback successfully involving his top receiver occurred in the Monday night game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jake Browning, filling in for the injured Joe Burrow, targeted Ja'Marr Chase early and often. While he started slow, Chase's involvement evolved throughout the game, ultimately resulting in 11 catches for 149 yards and one touchdown.

This proactive approach contrasts starkly with the Steelers' struggles to consistently involve Diontae Johnson or Pickens. With the offensive talent at their disposal, the game plan should revolve around getting these playmakers heavily involved. The Steelers' recent losses to teams with just two wins heading into Acrisure Stadium highlight the critical need for an offensive overhaul.

A Troubling Turn Of Events

After an embarrassing Week 13 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, Steelers fans hoped for a rebound. Unfortunately, their expectations were dashed as the team slipped to third place in the AFC North. The frustration among Steelers faithful is palpable, with calls for the legendary coach, Mike Tomlin's removal growing louder. The once-proud franchise finds itself in a precarious situation, desperately in need of a turnaround.

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