Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver, George Pickens has been a lightning rod for controversy in 2023. The talented young receiver has had his maturity and effort level questioned throughout the campaign and it was highlighted again during the Steelers' most recent embarrassing loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 15. Pickens' behavior this season has been called unacceptable by some, with respected media members like Peter King calling for the Steelers to sit him down so that the message gets into his head that he's got to be a better professional. Pickens tried to defend himself from the criticism while speaking to the media on Tuesday.
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Steelers receiver George Pickens tried to avoid an Indianapolis Colts defender after making a catch in their Week 15 regular season matchup.
Pickens was seen giving up on a block during the first quarter of the team's game against the Colts when Jaylen Warren was stopped just short of the goal line. Pickens said he was trying to protect himself when he decided to let go of Colts defensive back, Jaylon Jones, who helped make sure that Warren didn't get into the end zone.
"I was just trying to prevent the Tank Dell situation, the same thing that happened to [him]," Pickens said in a quote released by ESPN's Brooke Pryor. "I ain't want to get an injury. When you stay on the block too [long], you can get ran up on very easily.”
Tank Dell, who admittedly is a much smaller receiver than Pickens at 5'10", suffered a season-ending fibula injury in Week 13 against the Denver Broncos. He was blocking for Dameon Pierce, who scored on a three-yard run, but Dell was injured as the defender rolled on him. Pickens says that was what he was trying to avoid.
It wasn't just the lack of blocking that was questioned, however. Pickens helped make the tackle on a Mitch Trubisky interception thrown to Colts safety Nick Cross when Trubisky targeted him for a jump ball. Later, when Trubisky threw a pick targeting him that he didn't have a shot at catching, he was seen loafing back toward the sideline. It sure seems like if he doesn't believe something was his fault, he doesn't have to worry about it.
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Steelers' George Pickens secures a 41-yard touchdown and the winning score against the Baltimore Ravens.
Pickens is immensely talented and the Steelers probably can't afford to bench him with the lack of talent behind him at the position. Veteran Allen Robinson II has his place on the team for sure, but being the number one or two guy isn't it anymore. After being involved early in the offense, Calvin Austin III's role has been largely limited to his return duties and the odd use of misdirection when he runs decoy motions. Neither have the skill set to replace Pickens.
Steelers' Pickens Says Critics "Never Played"
In the way he's been acting and playing when he doesn't have the ball in his hands, it would seem like Pickens doesn't try unless the play is designed to go to him. While his teammates continue to offer excuses for him, he refuses to take any accountability.
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Pittsburgh Steelers receiver George Pickens sulks while fellow receiver Diontae Johnson celebrates his first touchdown since the 2021 season.
In another response provided by Brooke Pryor, Pickens tried to defend himself from those who were questioning his effort.
"Yeah, all the people that’s questioning my effort, they don’t play football. They do what y’all [the media] do.”
Pickens has another chance to rewrite the narrative around his effort on Saturday in a crucial matchup for the Steelers against the Cincinnati Bengals.
What did you think of Pickens' self-defense? Comment below!
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