Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin tried to downplay the notion that receiver George Pickens either ran the wrong route or didn’t give effort on a route that became an interception in the end zone against the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas.
#Chiefs safety Justin Reid’s interception in the endzone on Russell Wilson. Russ clearly thought he had the TE wide open over top against Tranqull and that Reid was going to be keeping tabs on Pickens, but that route by Pickens doesn’t command it. #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/Dozb99mtwY
— Nick Jacobs (@Jacobs71) December 26, 2024
“George’s route running had zero to do with that interception. George was fine last Wednesday,” Tomlin said Monday afternoon.
Quarterback Russell Wilson had a different explanation after the game, blaming himself for the throw but also acknowledging that he was expecting Pickens to run his route vertically instead of breaking it off.
“Yeah, you know, I think he was going to go vertical. But, at the end of the day, it can’t happen. It’s on me,” Wilson said.
Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith echoed that sentiment on New Year’s Day when he was asked what the route concepts were on the play, and he replied, “I appreciate the question. I’m sure (it’s) asked a bunch. But, not that.”
When Pickens finally spoke about the play on Thursday, he was asked about not being on the same page with Wilson on that play. Pickens proceeded to pull his neck warmer over his face and end the interview without replying.
Last question to George Pickens was about the his role in the end zone interception vs. the Chiefs.
His response (or non-response): pic.twitter.com/cBppAWfQOK— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) January 2, 2025
Let’s be clear. If the Steelers can’t even be on the same page in terms of whether or not they are on the same page, it might just be time to turn the page.
Was that clear enough?
When it comes to Pickens, aren’t we fed up with the unending fallout from him acting out, running incorrect or half-hearted routes, not playing hard enough, playing too hard after the whistle, grumbling Instagram posts, getting fined and writing things on his eye black?
I expect Pickens to have a huge game Saturday against the Cincinnati Bengals, and I won’t be surprised if the franchise gives him a big contract extension this offseason.
But if they do, I bet they will regret it.
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You can’t go into next year without extending him. He will be a nightmare to deal with — and will probably hold out — if he goes into the final year of his entry-level deal without a long-term contract.
You can’t pay him because if he is hard to manage now, imagine how emboldened he’ll be if he has a monster amount of guaranteed money (see “Brown, Antonio”).
You can’t trade him because you’ll never get equal value. He’s too talented.
But if the Steelers do trade him, get a second-round pick to spend on a wide receiver, sign or trade for veteran receiver the likes of Tee Higgins and add those two players to Calvin Austin and whatever Roman Wilson is supposed to become, I can live with that attempt at a wide receiver room in 2025.
I can certainly live without the weekly distractions. I imagine the rest of the Steelers could as well. I just hope they can live without all of Pickens’ production.
Because suddenly, the franchise that has such a great reputation for finding wide receivers whenever it needs one sure doesn’t have many at its disposal.
Not only for next year but for the rest of this season as well.
