Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens is under fire for his lack of effort during his team’s loss to the Indianapolis Colts this past weekend, and on Tuesday, he made a rather shocking statement in his defense.
Pickens has specifically been called out for not attempting to make a block on a red-zone carry from running back Jaylen Warren, where Warren was tackled by Colts defenders near the goal line with Pickens standing idly by.
When asked about why he didn’t make more of an effort to block for Warren, Pickens said something that will surely aggravate the Steelers’ organization and fans alike.
“I was just trying to prevent the Tank Dell situation, the same thing that happened to him,” Pickens said, referencing the Houston Texans receiver who is now out for the season due to a broken fibula (via Jarrett Bailey of Behind The Steel Curtain). “I ain’t want an injury. When you stay up on those blocks, you can get run up on. That’s the reason.”
Pickens then went on to rip anyone questioning his effort.
“All the people that’s questioning my effort, they don’t play football, they do what y’all do,” Pickens said. “All that people do that got opinions, they’re media, surface guys. None of them play football.”
While attempting to avoid an injury is understandable, his statements to the media are problematic, as it is indicative of the type of behavior he has exhibited all season long.
Earlier in the year, Pickens took to social media to post “Free Me” following a two-catch outing in a win over the Tennessee Titans. He has also expressed outward displays of frustration on the field, which has drawn the ire of head coach Mike Tomlin.
Pickens’ talent is undeniable, but if he doesn’t clean up his attitude soon, he may very well find himself playing his way out of Pittsburgh—or the NFL entirely.
The 22-year-old has hauled in 52 receptions for 814 yards and three touchdowns in 2023.
George Pickens was taken by the Steelers in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft and went on to catch 52 passes for 801 yards and four scores during his rookie campaign.
Pittsburgh fell to 7-7 with its loss to the Colts, and now, its playoff hopes are on life support as it gets set to host the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday. Following the Bengals matchup, the Steelers will take on the Seattle Seahawks and Baltimore Ravens to wrap up the regular season.
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