Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens has come under fire for not blocking for running back Jaylen Warren during a red-zone rushing attempt against the Indianapolis Colts this past weekend, and now, Warren is sounding off about it.
Pickens said the reason why he didn’t attempt to make a block for Warren near the goal line was because he didn’t want to risk an injury, which Warren said he understood.
“I see where he’s coming from,” Warren said, via Ray Fittipaldo of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “It is what it is. At the end of the day, he was doing what he thought was best for him.”
Warren did not stop there, however. He proceeded to insinuate that Pickens may not always have the best interests of the team in mind.
“Some people play the game differently,” Warren said. “If I was in that position I would have blocked for him. But we play differently, so…”
It seems rather safe to say that Pickens is not exactly well-liked in the Steelers’ locker room right now. Of course, this is hardly the first time this season that Pickens has invited controversy.
Earlier in the year, he posted “Free Me” on social media after logging just two catches in a win over the Tennessee Titans. Key word: win. He has also expressed visible displays of frustration on the field throughout the season, which head coach Mike Tomlin has not been happy about.
Steelers interim offensive coordinator Eddie Faulkner said that Pickens was called out in front of the team this week for multiple miscues against the Colts; not just the lack of a block on that particular play.
George Pickens has hauled in 52 receptions for 814 yards and three touchdowns this season. The 22-year-old was selected by Pittsburgh in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He caught 52 passes for 801 yards and four scores last year.
The Steelers are 7-7 and will take on the Cincinnati Bengals this Saturday.
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