In a late-night NFL matchup, the Dallas Cowboys defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers with a final touchdown in the closing moments of the game. As the game ended, tensions flared when Steelers wide receiver George Pickens was seen grabbing the facemask of Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis. The altercation occurs after Lewis appears to say something to Pickens, leading to Pickens’ aggressive response. Officials quickly stepped in to prevent the situation from escalating further.
Following the game, Jourdan Lewis openly criticized George Pickens for his behavior, calling him “weak” and suggesting that the Steelers needed a new wide receiver. Pickens’ performance on the field had been underwhelming, as he recorded only 26 yards on three receptions despite being targeted seven times. This lack of production contrasted sharply with Pickens’ confidence, which was visibly displayed through a message on his eyeblack reading “open f—ing always.”
Pickens’ disappointing game against the Cowboys came after a strong performance the previous week in a loss to the Indianapolis Colts, where he had seven receptions for 113 yards. However, despite these flashes of potential, Pickens has yet to score a touchdown this season.
His reduced playing time during the game against the Cowboys, with only 34 snaps, raised questions, as this was the first time he played less than 60% of the team’s snaps. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin explained that the decision was made to manage Pickens’ reps for better overall productivity.
Amid the struggles with their receiving corps, reports have circulated that the Steelers have been exploring options to bolster their lineup. Earlier, they were rumored to have pursued San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, though a deal fell through. Now, with reports that Las Vegas Raiders star Davante Adams has requested a trade, the Steelers are reportedly considering an aggressive offer to bring Adams to Pittsburgh.
Despite his challenges this season, George Pickens remains an important player for the Steelers, now in his third season since being drafted out of Georgia. Last year, he led the NFL in yards per reception, amassing 1,140 yards on just 63 catches with five touchdowns. His talent is undeniable, but with recent struggles, the Steelers may be looking to add a veteran receiver to complement their offense.
