Steelers' Mike Tomlin Absolves George Pickens Of Any Wrongdoing As He Completely Blames Browns For End Of Game Scuffle

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been heavily criticized in the days since their brutal loss to the inferior Cleveland Browns. The Browns came into the game with just two wins on the season and they managed to pull off the upset over the Steelers, who still lead the AFC North with a record of 8-3. The Steelers trailed for the majority of the game, but managed to fight back in the fourth quarter and take a one-point lead. Cleveland wound up scoring a last minute touchdown to win the game, but not before Pittsburgh was able to take one last shot at the end zone.

A last second Hail Mary is always a long shot, but NFL fans saw it work out for the Washington Commanders as they beat the Chicago Bears earlier in the year. George Pickens is one of the best contested-catch receivers in the league, so it seemed like the Steelers might actually have a chance to pull off a miracle. Unfortunately, the Hail Mary attempt didn't work out for Pittsburgh as Pickens found himself fighting with Greg Newsome II in the back of the end zone while the ball was still in play.

Head Coach Mike Tomlin was asked about Pickens' behavior on this play, and the coach directly blamed the Browns while the rest of America has been taking shots at Pickens for his poor effort since the final whistle sounded.

"I didn't see the video," Tomlin said of Pickens' scuffle. "I heard about it, but he is involved in the Hail Mary as the point man."

Tomlin explained that Pickens was the target on the Hail Mary and the receiver was supposed to go up and high point the football, which he typically does very well. Clearly Pickens wasn't in position to do this as he was tangled up with Newsome, and the coach blamed the Browns for this, rather than piling on his receiver.

"I think their actions had something to do with him not being in position to do that," Tomlin said.

Pickens has been scrutinized by many for his poor effort on the play and the scuffle then ensued after the final whistle. Tomlin clearly doesn't see it that way, as Newsome was locked up with Pickens for nearly the entire play and drove the receiver out of the back of the end zone. Pickens didn't like this, which led to the two players needing to be separated.

Pickens was never really in a position to make a play on the football on the Hail Mary, and it was reported earlier in the week that the play is being reviewed by the league and Pickens may be subject to a fine from the NFL. This isn't the first instance that Pickens has shown poor effort and has seemed to care more about fighting with an opposing defender, but it doesn't seem to be a big deal for Tomlin. The coach told the media that he hasn't heard anything from the league about the play, and appears to be firm in his belief that the third-year receiver did nothing wrong.

Steelers' Mike Tomlin Continues To Defend His Players To The Media

Nearly everyone in the NFL media has had something to say about Pickens since the game ended, but Tomlin bucked the national trend of hating on the receiver and instead backed his player up. He did the same thing after the game regarding Broderick Jones, who has struggled at right tackle in his second season. 

The young offensive lineman has struggled with committing penalties, and the coach spoke to the media after the game. He had nothing but good things to say about Jones. This is a big reason that so many players in the league want the opportunity to play for Tomlin, who is considered the ultimate players coach.

What do you think of Tomlin's thoughts regarding the incident with Pickens? Let us know in the comments below!

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