Pittsburgh Steelers standout George Pickens exhibited visible frustration on Thursday during a narrow three-point loss to the struggling New England Patriots. The ongoing scrutiny of the Steelers’ offensive performance led head coach Mike Tomlin to part ways with offensive coordinator Matt Canada earlier in the season.
Despite Mitch Trubisky stepping in for the injured Kenny Pickett, offensive struggles persisted, with Pittsburgh managing only 18 points and less than 50 yards of total offense by the midway point of the second quarter.
Pickens had a subpar performance, finishing the game with just 19 receiving yards. Tomlin, observing a lackluster effort from Pickens during a running play, seemed to convey some stern words to the receiver, as noted by play-by-play announcer Al Michaels during the broadcast.
According to commentator Kirk Herbstreit, Tomlin was emphasizing the importance of maturity and perseverance. Herbstreit suggested that Pickens’ teammates might not be pleased with his lack of effort on a play where he knew he wouldn’t receive the ball, characterizing it as a negative reflection on the team.
While Pickens caught five of six passes thrown his way, the one he missed resulted in an interception. Frustration was evident when the Steelers failed to convert in the red zone, with Pickens visibly upset. Cameras also captured a possible heated exchange between Pickens and teammates on the Steelers sideline.
Teammate Diontae Johnson acknowledged Pickens’ frustration and shared his role in helping Pickens stay focused. Johnson emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive mindset, reminding Pickens that opportunities can arise unexpectedly and that one bad play shouldn’t define him.
Notably, Johnson himself faced criticism recently for a perceived lack of effort. During Week 12, Johnson did not block during a play that resulted in a fumble recovery by the Bengals, drawing attention from NFL fans.
The Steelers’ playoff aspirations suffered a setback with consecutive losses. Looking ahead to Week 15, the team aims to bounce back against the surging Colts in a special Saturday slate of games.
