The Pittsburgh Steelers are reeling coming off of three straight uncompetitive losses. The most recent one came on Christmas Day, with the Steelers falling to the Kansas City Chiefs 29-10. One of the key moments that has been discussed since the loss was a Russell Wilson interception, a play that sparked widespread debate about what went wrong. Some have placed the blame on George Pickens for not running the rest of his route, but the film tells a different story.
PennLive / Kylee Surike
Steelers' George Pickens fights through a jam on a key route against the Chiefs during the 2024 season.
Head Coach Mike Tomlin quickly came out in support of Pickens, saying the interception had nothing to do with his receiver. Tomlin’s defense of Pickens was a strong message to those who were quick to point fingers without fully understanding the situation. On the other hand, Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith made a comment that seemed to place some blame on Pickens, adding fuel to the fire in an already tense situation.
Explaining his interception in the end zone after the Chiefs loss, Russell Wilson said he thought George Pickens was going to go vertical instead of breaking off his route.
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) January 2, 2025
Asked about the miscommunication today, Pickens didn’t have anything to add. pic.twitter.com/mE8oh78Csl
During Thursday’s media session, a member of the Steelers media asked Pickens directly about the interception, placing blame on him for not being on the same page with Wilson. As many would expect, the question rubbed Pickens the wrong way, and he appeared visibly confused by the accusation. Without saying a word, Pickens simply walked away from the interaction.
"You said me and Russell wasn’t on the same page?" Pickens asked. "That’s what he said, or is that what you said?"
The media member was asked by Pickens who claimed they weren’t on the same page. In response, the reporter stated that Wilson had said the same thing, which visibly confused and upset Pickens.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' George Pickens waltzes in for a big time score against the Bengals during the 2023 NFL season.
He then inquired how they could address the situation, but Pickens, refusing to justify the question, pulled up his ski mask, signaling that he wouldn’t engage in the discussion any further.
Steelers' George Pickens Likely Not To Blame For Russell Wilson's Costly Blunder
Pickens' reaction is understandable, considering the ambiguity surrounding the interception. Many have suggested that Pickens stopped running his route, but Wilson threw the ball before Pickens even made his break.
Whether this was due to Pickens slowing down or simply running his route as intended remains unclear. Regardless, the veteran quarterback threw the ball into harm’s way, which complicates the narrative. Even if Pickens had run a quicker route, the ball likely would have been a poor decision by Wilson.
There’s a recurring narrative among Steelers media and fans to place blame on Pickens for every negative play, and it’s easy to see why he’s frustrated. Since joining Pittsburgh, Pickens has been part of a dysfunctional offense that doesn’t fully utilize his talents. Meanwhile, other, less talented receivers thrive in better situations.
Associated Presss
George Pickens runs after catching a pass from Mason Rudolph during a 2023 Pittsburgh Steelers game against the Bengals.
While Pickens may bear some responsibility at times, the fan base would do well to support their best offensive weapon rather than turning him into a scapegoat. The last time he found himself in media drama, he bounced back with a massive performance against the Cincinnati Bengals—four catches, 195 yards, and two touchdowns. Hopefully, he can channel that same energy in the Week 18 regular season finale against that same team.
#SteelerNation
