Just one month ago, Mike Tomlin, head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, called George Pickens’ outward signs of discontent a “non-issue.” Monday, Tomlin changed his position when addressing the media.
Despite having 767 receiving yards, Pickens has failed to score a touchdown since October, despite being the team’s leading wideout. Additionally, since Week 7’s victory over the Los Angeles Rams, the 22-year-old has failed to gain more than 100 receiving yards. Only once in his last seven games has he accumulated more than four receptions.
During last month’s 20-16 victory over the Tennessee Titans, his discontent with the Steelers’ offense was front and center. A late touchdown by wide receiver Diontae Johnson gave the team the lead and ultimately sealed the victory. Pickens remained on the sideline and seemed unhappy as his teammates applauded.
After the victory, Tomlin denied that Pickens’ personality had any role in the victory, stating, “I know it’s a cute story for you guys, but it is a pebble in my shoe, to be quite honest with you.”
Over the past few weeks, cameras have persisted in capturing the receiver’s facial expressions while they play. Tomlin spoke to Pickens on the bench after the loss to the Patriots last Thursday, when Pickens seemed to be expressing anger.
“I think it can happen to anyone when things aren’t going well, to be honest with you,” Tomlin told reporters. Because of the amount of attention and effort we put into it, it’s normal to feel frustrated. Because they are professional athletes, though, I have no problem asking these guys to do things that don’t come naturally to them. It is our responsibility to find ways to make the unusual things appear commonplace.
The Steelers’ locker room atmosphere has been anything but positive. Two losses in a row have hit the squad hard. Veteran safety Minkah Fitzpatrick was critical of the team after their loss to the Patriots.
“I think we need to have more people who want to work for it, not expect it to be handed to them,” he commented.
According to reports, following the Cleveland Browns loss, Fitzpatrick and Johnson got into a furious argument. Johnson was immediately held to account for his apparent lack of effort in a victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Another player who has spoken frankly about his displeasure with the offense is running back Najee Harris. A lot of things happen all the time that you two don’t notice. By November, he had reached a breaking point and was sick of the situation. A few days after that, offensive coordinator Matt Canada was let go.
On Saturday, the Steelers will meet the Indianapolis Colts in a game that will determine the team’s postseason prospects.
Both starting pass rushers Alex Highsmith and T.J. Watt are currently in concussion protocol, which means they may not play in Week 15’s game. After ankle surgery, quarterback Kenny Pickett will sit out for two weeks in a row.
In Pickett’s absence, Mitchell Trubisky will start again. The backup quarterback discussed his intentions to work well with Pickens during a press conference on Tuesday.
During a press conference, Trubisky advised the quarterback to “get him the football” and encourage open dialogue regarding his perceptions and their differences from his position.
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