Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, renowned for establishing a strong team culture, is facing challenges this season. Former head coach Bill Cowher criticized wide receiver George Pickens and called for Tomlin to take action against him.
This isn”t the first time Pickens has been linked to locker room issues. Last year, he openly expressed frustration with Steelers coaches, demanding they “throw [him] the f***king ball,” a sentiment not entirely uncommon among NFL wide receivers. However, this season, both Pickens and Diontae Johnson have shown a concerning lack of effort in multiple instances.”Culture really is about commitment & sacrifice..
You’re not just playing with one another, you’re playing for one another..
The struggle has been on offense all season long & Pittsburgh has to get back to what Steeler football is all about”
Johnson notably gave up on a play during a fumble, making no attempt to block or recover. In another game, he celebrated a meaningless touchdown in a game the Steelers ultimately lost by two scores. Tomlin, expressing frustration, publicly scolded Johnson after the second incident.
In Week 14, Pickens followed Johnson”s lead, exhibiting zero effort and later stating he “didn”t want to get injured” while run blocking. Tomlin publicly reprimanded Pickens, and even teammate Jaylen Warren criticized Pickens for not blocking.
Bill Cowher, a Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Steelers head coach, joined the chorus of critics, emphasizing the importance of commitment and sacrifice in team culture. Cowher suggested that Tomlin must take action against Pickens to maintain control of the locker room.Cowher stated, “The one thing that should never be questioned is effort. That is very bothersome, and I think there [has to be] consequences for that.”
While Tomlin acknowledged meeting with Pickens and communicating the team”s intolerance for such behavior, he also announced that Pickens would play against the Bengals, likely starting the game.
While Pickens” situation is still playing itself out, Cowher was also asked about Pittsburgh”s biggest on-field issue: An offense that all season has struggled to put points on the scoreboard.“Can it get turned around? Yeah,” Cowher said. “I think you have to sit back when the season is over and see what you want to do on the offensive side of the ball. Bring in someone who is established who is going to bring in his system that is going to get back to what Steelers football is all about.”
Navigating the balance between disciplining a player and supporting the team”s playoff aspirations is challenging for coaches. Benching Pickens could impact the struggling offense, but accountability is crucial for team dynamics. The outcome of this situation will be intriguing to watch in the upcoming weekend.
