Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens recently complained that he can't produce because of the way he has been used in the offense The talented but frustrating young pass catcher had a chance to change the narrative surrounding his season with a big game against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 15. Instead, he left the door open for more questions about his lack of effort and maturity as the Steelers fell 30-13 to the Colts.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers receiver George Pickens tried to avoid an Indianapolis Colts defender after making a catch in their Week 15 2023 regular season matchup.
Former three-time Pro Bowl offensive guard Kyle Long was on the CBS Sports pregame panel for the network's Sunday slate of games and while reviewing the Steelers embarrassing performance against the Colts, he singled out the Georgia product. Pickens' antics are a microcosm of the issues in Pittsburgh this season, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Long ripped into the Steelers.
"I think that this team doesn't have leadership," he said. "I think that this team chooses their leader by who is the most skilled guy on the field. Unfortunately for them, number 14 George Pickens is the most talented guy on the football team and it's week after week I question the leadership, coaching, the presence of mind and it's George Pickens often in this conversation."
The lack of leadership, especially when it pertains to the offensive side of the ball, has been very pronounced in 2023. Many, including former legendary Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, have questioned whether the team has completely lost its way. The unit is young. Diontae Johnson is the longest-serving starter on offense in just his fifth season in the NFL. Third-string quarterback Mason Rudolph, who was thrust into active duty for the first time since Week 16 in 2021, has been around for six years in Pittsburgh.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers wide receiver, Diontae Johnson (#18) catches a pass as he goes through drills during a 2021 team training camp practice at then-Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA.
Veteran Allen Robinson has tried to step into a leadership role particularly with the young and frustrated Pickens. His mentorship seems to be falling on deaf ears. As another week passes and Pickens is yet again the center of attention and not for good reason.
Steelers' Pickens Displays Lack Of Maturity With Two Plays Against Colts
Pittsburgh's offense opened the game with a quick three-and-out as has been tradition in nearly every game of the 2023 season, but looked like they were finding a sort of rhythm on their first drive after the Colts missed on a 56-yard field goal attempt. Mitch Trubisky completed passes to Robinson, Pickens and Pat Freiermuth to move the ball inside the red zone.
Justin Casterline / Getty Images
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens gets a talking to by Head Coach Mike Tomlin.
On first and goal from the Indianapolis seven-yard line, after Pickens took a catch and run for 15 yards to get the team there, running back Jaylen Warren took a toss and ran it to the one-yard line. Pittsburgh managed to take the lead two plays later after Trubisky snuck into the end zone. It was initially ruled a fumble on the play recovered by Najee Harris, but review determined that Trubisky had crossed the plane of the end zone for the score. The problem was that Pittsburgh probably should've had a touchdown on Warren's initial run.
George Pickens run blocking effort 🥶. Should’ve been a TD. pic.twitter.com/STZjKAD53i
— TJ Goebig (@GoebigTj) December 16, 2023
Long took issue with Pickens run blocking as it was his guy that brought Warren down before he could score. That wasn't the only play that he took issue with. After Indianapolis scored their first touchdown of the game, Pittsburgh put themselves in a whole with holding penalty against center Mason Cole. On first down, needing 16 yards for a first down, Trubisky rolled out of the pocket and went for it all. He bombed a jump ball for Pickens that was intercepted by Colts safety Nick Cross.
The jump ball interception from Mitch Trubisky. George Pickens as the intended target.#Steelers pic.twitter.com/9HCz5r3JlC
— Rob G (@NFL_Rob) December 16, 2023
Long, who spent three seasons protecting Trubisky as the Chicago Bears quarterback, wasn't too impressed with Pickens losing the jump ball, something that was a specialty for him in his rookie season.
"When Mitch throws a jump ball and you're the biggest freakiest guy on the field and you get Randy Mossed between the hatches I take issue with it." he said.
There is no doubt about Pickens talent as he can be a game changing receiver for the Steelers as the fan base has seen at times. The problem is that the lack of effort on other plays and his general demeanor have not been good. Pickens is a professional athlete and it's time he realized it, or like other talented Steelers receiver divas he'll be trying to do it somewhere else.
Are you tired of seeing plays like these from Pickens? How do Pittsburgh fix his lack of effort problems? Comment below!
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