The Pittsburgh Steelers might have a problem with their No. 1 wide receiver, George Pickens, who appears to be unhappy with the team.
Pickens wrote "Open [expletive] Always" on his eye black on Sunday night, which may indicate he isn't happy with the amount of targets he's getting. He also likely wasn't thrilled with finishing third in snaps and routes run among Steelers wide receivers.
But that wasn't the only problem. Pickens also appeared to not be giving full effort when running routes on Sunday night, something that was pointed out by those who watched the tape following Pittsburgh's 20-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
George Pickens running routes last night
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) October 7, 2024
what do you notice? pic.twitter.com/viBVOL2I7K
It would have been nice to hear from Pickens after the game, but the former 2022 second-round pick declined to talk to the media. Then, on Monday, he hid in the equipment room to once again avoid talking to reporters.
After the game, Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth might have taken a not-so-subtle jab at the disgruntled wide receiver, saying he trusts the coaches, is going to keep doing the little things, and isn't going to complain about targets in the process.
“I trust the coaching staff and what they’re doing," he said, per Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "Everyone can bitch and complain about a lack of targets, but it’s the stuff you do without the ball. That’s what leaders do. That’s what good teammates do. I block my a-- off regardless.”
Again, we can't say for sure if that's a shot at Pickens, but it sure seems like it with everything going on.
After two straight losses to fall to 3-2, the Steelers have gone from positive vibes to negative ones and things are heading in the wrong direction quickly.
Pittsburgh has a decision to make with Pickens moving forward. He is not happy in Pittsburgh, it would seem, and the Steelers are facing a situation in which they will have to decide whether or not to extend him next year. And, if they choose not to, it could lead to a standoff with Pickens.
