Steelers Insider Rips George Pickens After Explosive Christmas Day Details Emerge

Pittsburgh Steelers star wide receiver George Pickens has been productive in his first three seasons despite playing in a historically bad offense. In most cases, he’s been the Steelers’ only glimmer of hope on that side of the ball. However, as Pickens approaches the final year of his rookie deal in 2025, some fans are beginning to express concerns about whether he’s ready to be the team’s true number-one wide receiver, both on and off the field.

The concerns about Pickens’ maturity have been fueled by visible displays of frustration during games. While some of that frustration is understandable given the struggles of the Steelers’ offense, there are limits to what the team and fans are willing to tolerate. Showing up late to a game crosses that line, and Steelers insider Mike DeFabo revealed a troubling detail in his latest piece for The Athletic. According to DeFabo, Pickens was late to the team’s Christmas Day matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, raising further questions about his professionalism.

Pickens’ talent is undeniable, but incidents like this could impact how the Steelers approach his contract extension. While many fans still view him as a cornerstone of the team’s future, others worry that his inconsistency and off-field lapses could hinder the team’s success. As the clock ticks down on the Steelers' decision regarding Pickens' future, speculation is growing about the possible outcomes. Some believe he could be traded, others think he might hold out for a new deal, and there’s also the possibility that Pittsburgh may simply choose not to offer him an extension.

"Pickens sat out the next two games with a hamstring injury," DeFabo wrote. "When he was finally healthy, how did he respond? By showing up late for the Christmas Day game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Tomlin asks players to report to games at least two hours before kickoff. On Dec. 25, Pickens walked through the media entrance an hour and 25 minutes before kickoff. That was after inactive players were announced."

It’s important to clarify what late means in this context. Pickens wasn’t technically late for kickoff, but he failed to arrive at the time Head Coach Mike Tomlin expects his players to report. Tomlin has a strict standard, requiring players to be at the stadium two hours before kickoff, and by that measure, Pickens was 35 minutes late. Additionally, DeFabo has reported hearing from players that Pickens has a habit of showing up late to practices as well.

These habits raise legitimate concerns that could affect the Steelers’ willingness to offer Pickens a significant contract extension. The organization has a long history of parting ways with talented players who bring more trouble than they’re worth. While Pickens’ on-field contributions are undeniable, his off-field lapses could make the Steelers hesitant to commit to him as a cornerstone of the franchise.

From an outside perspective, it’s easy to assume that Pickens may be causing internal frustration for the team. With his immense potential, but inconsistent discipline, how the organization chooses to handle his future will be fascinating to watch in the coming seasons.

Steelers' George Pickens Could Be Traded Soon

Pickens has been outstanding in his first three seasons, and losing him would be a significant blow to the Steelers and their fan base. However, the team will ultimately prioritize what’s best for their long-term success. As things stand, there’s a real possibility the Steelers might consider trading Pickens during the 2025 offseason to get value in return rather than risking losing him for nothing.

If the Steelers decide against extending Pickens, trading him would be the most logical course of action. That said, it would be a risky move, considering Pickens has often been their only consistent source of offensive production. With an already underwhelming wide receiver group, moving on from him could leave the Steelers’ offense in an even more precarious position.

Finding the right balance between discipline and retaining talent will be crucial for Pittsburgh as they navigate this situation. Whatever decision they make, it will undoubtedly have significant implications for the team’s future.

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