The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a spectacular season in 2024 as they currently have a 9-3 record going into Week 14. Their most recent loss came in Week 12 to the Cleveland Browns, and that loss certainly stings as the Browns only have three wins on the year. A lot of storylines came from the clash between Pittsburgh and Cleveland back in Week 12 on Thursday Night Football, with George Pickens being at the center of a lot of them. Players on both sides have been taking jabs at one another in the media throughout the week, and Myles Garrett got involved on Friday.
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Steelers' George Pickens celebrates with his teammates after a big time touchdown.
Emotions were running high after the Steelers were upset by the Browns in Week 12. Pickens was getting into it with defensive backs throughout the game, and he found himself fighting with Greg Newsome II in the back of the end zone on Pittsburgh's final Hail Mary attempt. Pickens was criticized heavily for this, and the two players have taken shots at one another since then.
Will George Pickens talk to Browns CB Greg Newsome before the game Sunday?
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) December 6, 2024
Pickens: “I don’t even know who that is.” pic.twitter.com/FK59cWG7q8
Pickens decided to act like he didn't know who Newsome was, which might just give the Browns defense some extra motivation. Garrett was asked about Pickens' comments during his press conference on Friday, and the star defensive end defended his teammate to the media.
"I think he had an idea of who he [Greg Newsome II] was last time we played," Garrett said. "I think they did a great job containing him, I look forward to the matchup of them on the outside again. He's definitely a competitor, he's good at what he does, so are we on the back end. They look forward to matching up with their wide receivers."
Pickens continues to double down on his comments towards the Browns, as he has repeatedly called them a bad team to the media since losing to Cleveland in Week 12. The third-year wide receiver has shown that he has some more maturing to do, which is something that Head Coach Mike Tomlin called him out for after the Steelers beat the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 13.
Joshua Gunter / Cleveland.com
Steelers' George Pickens fighting with Greg Newsome II after a loss to the Cleveland Browns in 2024.
Steelers' George Pickens Has Postgame Comments Come Back To Bite Him
After Pittsburgh lost to Cleveland in Week 12, Pickens spoke to the media and called the Browns a bad team. Even though the Steelers had just lost to the Browns, the receiver blamed the snowy conditions for the loss. He stated that the snow played more into the Browns favor, which made it difficult for the Steelers to win the game. Garrett was asked about this during his press conference on Friday, where he took another shot at Pickens and the Steelers.
"We played in the same snow," Garrett said. "So I don't see how it was to any benefit to us more than them. We could be a better team, on record, but we were good enough on that day and we have to be good enough on Sunday and that's all that matters."
Pickens caught a lot of flack for blaming the conditions for the loss, especially since he plays in the AFC North where every team takes pride in their toughness regardless of the weather. It was very un-Steelers like to blame the weather, which put Pickens in hot water with the majority of the fan base.
ESPN
Pittsburgh Steelers WR George Pickens during snow storm against the Cleveland Browns in 2024.
Pickens will have the opportunity to back up all of his comments on Sunday when the Steelers take on the Browns at home for the rematch. There is no reason that the Steelers shouldn't find a way to win this game, but based off of how the last game went, fans shouldn't feel too confident going into this contest.
What do you think of Garrett's comments towards Pickens? Let us know in the comments below!
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