The Pittsburgh Steelers had a disappointing performance at home against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night, losing 20-17. The Steelers defense had a chance to stop the Cowboys on the final drive but fell short. One of the biggest mysteries of the game was the absence of star wide receiver George Pickens. Pickens saw significantly less playing time than usual, and when asked about it, Head Coach Mike Tomlin didn’t seem to provide the full picture.
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Steelers' George Pickens appears angry on the sideline.
Pickens arrived at the game wearing eye black with a bold statement, claiming he's always open. However, his performance was far from that. He finished with just three catches for 26 receiving yards, making little impact for an offense that desperately needed him.
Jourdan Lewis on his way to the locker: "Pittsburgh need a receiver. George Pickens weak." pic.twitter.com/GXr2uf5LDw
— Bobby Belt (@BobbyBeltTX) October 7, 2024
As Cowboys players headed to the locker room, cornerback Jourdan Lewis had some harsh words for Pickens, mocking his performance and claiming the Steelers lack a true wide receiver.
"Pittsburgh need a receiver. George Pickens weak."
The Steelers traded away their star wide receiver Diontae Johnson during the 2024 offseason, and rumors have been swirling about the team’s aggressive pursuit of a new receiver. Some even believe the Steelers could be legitimate contenders to trade for Las Vegas Raiders' star Davante Adams. After the way the offense looked against the Cowboys, it's pretty obvious Pittsburgh needs help at the position.
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Raiders' Davante Adams makes a catch against the Steelers.
Pickens was expected to be a difference-maker in the primetime game against the Cowboys, but his lack of impact is now a major concern for Steelers fans. With limited threats at wide receiver, defenses are able to scheme easily to take Pickens out of the game, adding pressure on him to perform.
Steelers' George Pickens Has An Upsetting Outing
Pickens also saw less playing time than usual. Tomlin explained it as an effort to get better quality reps from him, but Pickens ran fewer routes than most receivers on the team, which has left fans questioning the strategy.
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Steelers wide receiver George Pickens walks in for a score.
Despite keeping a positive attitude throughout the season, Pickens expressed his frustration during the Cowboys game by grabbing his opponent's facemask on the final play as the game slipped away. It was an upsetting game for Pickens and for Steeler Nation.
There may be more to the story regarding Pickens' limited route participation. It's certainly unusual for the team's best wide receiver to run fewer routes, leaving fans questioning what really was the reason for his lack of playing time. Pickens' demeanor during the Cowboys game has raised concerns among Steelers fans, but he will be looking to bounce back in the upcoming game against the Raiders.
In the past, Pickens has expressed frustration with the offense and his limited opportunities. Now, as the sole star wide receiver, he’s facing treatment he’s never experienced before. Defenses can easily scheme him out of games, which is understandably causing frustration for Pickens. This is why Steelers fans were so concerned about the wide receiver position during the 2024 offseason. Clearly, adding a player like Adams would significantly change the dynamic of the offense.
For now, the team must work with what they have. Pickens will need a strong bounce-back performance to compensate for his lack of production against the Cowboys. He has already proven his capability, and fans will be keenly interested to see how he responds to this adversity.
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