CINCINNATI — Mike Tomlin has been a staunch supporter of George Pickens, but after Pickens committed two personal fouls during Sunday’s win over the Bengals, the Steelers coach acknowledged something has to change about his young receiver.
Pickens, it had to be escorted off the field late in last week’s loss at Cleveland, he was penalized for both taunting and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties during Pittsburgh’s 44-38 victory. Both penalties minimized the impact of two catches made by Pickens.
“You just gotta grow up, man,” Tomlin said. “It’s an emotional game. These division games are important. He has a target on his back because it’s George (Pickens). He understands that, but he has to grow. He has to grow quickly.”
After his first penalty, Tomlin was seen talking to Pickens on the bench before giving him a quick hug. Veteran quarterback Russell Wilson also had Pickens’ ear throughout the game.
Like Tomlin, Wilson was asked to talk about Pickens and his most recent issues with officials. When asked to talk about Pickens, 99% of Wilson’s responses were praise for his 23-year-old teammate, who is still learning his way in the NFL. Wilson, however, acknowledged that Pickens needs to do a better job of controlling his emotions.
“I was telling him on the bench, ‘When you’re one of the best in the world, you expect to make those plays, you don’t necessarily need to make anything extra,'” Wilson recalled after Sunday’s win. “He responded and did well with it…He knows he can help us in a big way. He’s done it all year. He’s a great teammate…one of the best teammates in the way he works.” “He’s learning every day… However, he also has to be smarter, and he’s going to do it.”
As Wilson alluded to, Pickens has played an integral role in Pittsburgh’s 9-3 start. But the only thing that still stops him are the penalties that often have nothing to do with the play.
“I hope not,” Pickens said during this postgame press conference when asked if he feels like he’s become a target of the referees. “I’m here just playing, like every receiver in the league. Certain calls don’t go my way. All I can do is keep playing.”
The first penalty was for taunting after Pickens made a 21-yard reception late in the first quarter. However, Pittsburgh overcame the 15-yard penalty after Wilson threw a game-tying touchdown pass to Calvin Austin III.
For a second, it looked like Pickens’ day was going to come to a premature end after the referees penalized him again following his 36-yard grab on Pittsburgh’s first drive of the second half. But instead of being assessed a taunting penalty (which would have led to his ejection), Pickens was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct and was able to remain in the game.
That penalty, however, contributed somewhat to the Steelers’ no points going forward. Instead of moving the ball to the Bengals’ 13-yard line, the penalty returned Pittsburgh to the Cincinnati 28-yard line. The drive ultimately ended with a missed field goal that briefly shifted the momentum toward the home team.
Pickens, already an emotional player, appeared to play with even more emotion after there was no call on Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt after he appeared to push Pickens to the ground on his 51-yard interception six in Pittsburgh’s first series. Pickens quickly responded by scoring the Steelers’ first touchdown of the game moments later on a 17-yard catch and run.
“Plays happen. Guys, hug me,” Pickens said of the lack of decision at pick six. “I’m one of the best receivers, so they’re going to hold me down. I just have to make plays when that happens.”
Pickens acknowledged that Sunday’s game was tough, as is often the case between two division rivals. He also acknowledged that he already knows that great players do not need to hurt themselves by committing costly penalties. Additionally, Pickens said he doesn’t want to hurt his team.
All of that makes his answer when asked if he will change anything about his game confusing.
“Um, no,” Pickens said. “I can keep running my routes, keep playing. You have the officials that will make certain decisions for certain penalties.”
Talent has never been the issue for Pickens, who has led the Steelers in nearly every statistical category since joining the team in 2022. But until he learns to better control his emotions, Pickens’ potential will remain hamstrung, along with with the Steelers’ potential as a legitimate threat to exit the AFC.
