Coach Tomlin Addresses Concerns Over Pickens’ Performance and Conduct

In the wake of the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ recent loss, Head Coach Mike Tomlin addressed concerns regarding wide receiver George Pickens‘ performance on Sunday night. Pickens, a key player in the Steelers’ lineup, played a career-low 34 snaps, and appeared to execute some routes at a slower pace. In discussion with the media on Tuesday, Tomlin clarified that he harbored no issues with Pickens’ effort during the game.

Tomlin attributed Pickens’ reduced playtime to a strategy of “snap management,” which aims to enhance productivity by managing players’ workloads through the lens of analytics. “I didn’t have any outlying issue with his effort,” Tomlin stated. “That’s just a snap management thing, and an effort to be more productive in today’s game.” He further elaborated that this approach is part of a broader strategy over the extended 17-game season.

Despite being the team’s top wide receiver following the offseason trade of former teammate Chase Claypool to the Chicago Bears, Pickens participated in only 59% of the offensive snaps compared to teammates Diontae Johnson at 81% and Allen Robinson at 76%. Pickens concluded the game with three receptions for 26 yards from seven targets.

Addressing the media, Tomlin explained the strategic holding back of players with specialized skills, such as wide receivers, to ensure they are available for critical moments later in the season. “They don’t play every down because you need them in significant moments,” Tomlin noted, also citing the need to preserve players for the “back half of the season” and “weighty downs.”

Further concerns were raised off the field, when Pickens attracted attention for wearing eye black featuring an expletive, “Open F—ing Always,” and confrontationally pulling a Cowboys defender down by the facemask after the game. Despite not witnessing the message on Pickens’ eye black, Tomlin confirmed that such matters have been addressed internally.

“It’s certainly things that I’m open to addressing and will and do,” Tomlin said, emphasizing that he prefers to manage such issues privately to aid in Pickens’ growth both as a player and a person.

Since being selected as the 52nd overall in the 2022 NFL Draft by the Steelers, Pickens’ career has been highlighted by impressive catches but also marred by incidents questioning his effort, including a recent game where he failed to block for running back Najee Harris.

Reflecting on Pickens’ readiness to cope with professional challenges, Tomlin noted that while improvements have been made, there are moments, like the recent facemask incident, where Pickens has fallen short. “In those instances, no,” Tomlin admitted regarding Pickens’ ability to manage adversity, but asserted that Pickens has shown progress since his arrival in Pittsburgh.

“He’s certainly gotten better,” Tomlin affirmed.