Steelers News

Watch: George Pickens Lashes Back at Criticism

Published

4 months ago

December 20, 2023

Steelers WR George Pickens celebrates against the Cincinnati Bengals, Nov. 26, 2023 - Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

PITTSBURGH — George Pickens is frustrated with everyone, including the media, who he views as stoking the flames to make his frustrations more than what they are, and that included his effort on a Jaylen Warren run that could have ended up as a touchdown if Pickens had blocked Colts cornerback Jaylon Jones.

On Tuesday, he addressed those ideas, including what he believes the media is overlooking and where they are wrong. Namely, due to the fact that media members have not played in the NFL, Pickens brushes aside their concerns.

“I just feel like the reason I would be like you’re saying, would be still fighting it,” Pickens said. “A lot of guys that’s not playing the ball, not playing the game of football. That’s just media guys having an opinion.”

The media is not the only people who have criticized George Pickens. Others, including teammates, have become critical of him, but Pickens’ coach, Mike Tomlin is the guy who has acknowledged that his frustrations are a problem because they are not solution-oriented. On Mnnday, he followed up on another note that guys should be expected to get criticized.

“This is professional football. What we do gets analyzed. If you’ve been in this business any length of time, you know and understand that and hopefully you embrace that. The competitor in you better embrace that,” Tomlin said.

But George Pickens is frustrated right now and he has primarily had multiple things cake upon each other, from the outside criticism to the offense around him. But everyone in the room is frustrated, and they have not found a solution, yet none of them are rising to this level of frustration. At this point, it is distracting on the field and the team has to control or a tougher call will have to be made with Pickens.