Steelers WR George Pickens Defends Sideline Frustrations

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens has been the highlight of many headlines and hot takes over the last several weeks as his frustrations boil over during the team’s two-game losing streak. When asked about it during his weekly press conference, head coach Mike Tomlin said Pickens’s outbursts on the sideline during games are a problem and one they’re working to switch into a solution. “It’s a problem because it’s not solution-oriented,” Tomlin said. “We’re all frustrated, but we have to manage our frustration in a professional and mature way and when it’s not done that way, it’s not necessarily pushing us towards solutions.”

Pickens was asked about the situation and how he’s being perceived and turned the question back to those listening, asking how they’d want him to react. “It ain’t really fun losing. I don’t really know what reaction you guys would expect,” Pickens said. “If you lose at a video game. If you lose at anything you participate in, you are going to be mad. That’s the biggest component of it.” “I just want to win. Pretty simple,” he added. Pickens clarified that his frustrations over the last two games aren’t about getting more touches but rather the team simply losing. “We lost two games back to back to 2-10 teams,” he said.

As for moving past it, Pickens said he had a good week of practice and feels ready to try to turn the Steelers’ losing ways around. Currently holding the 6th seed in the AFC, Pittsburgh is still very much so in the playoff race, with an important game against the Indianapolis Colts on the horizon. “Me personally, I’m in a good space,” Pickens said. “I want to play well. I want to get a victory. I’m not in other guys’ heads, but I hope they are feeling the same way.” Make sure you bookmark All Steelers for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!