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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Allison Koehler

Steelers focus is on Green Bay Packers, not George Pickens

While it was clear Mike Tomlin wasn’t thrilled about taking questions on George Pickens disassociating himself from the team on social media or his reaction to Diontae Johnson’s touchdown, it was something he needed to do.

“He expresses frustration all the time, man,” Tomlin said. “He wants to be significant. He wants to be a reason why we’re successful. Y’all don’t begrudge that. I want guys who want the football. I want guys who want to be central reasons why we’re successful, and so that’s a non-issue, to be quite honest with you.”

As for how Tomlin handles the situation, one which he has more experience than he’d probably like with, it’s simple.

“Like breathing? It’s easy. I know it’s a cute story for you guys, but it is a pebble in my shoe, to be quite honest with you, in terms of the things that I have to do in an effort to get this group ready to play this week.”

Tomlin has far bigger fish to fry, like building off his team’s thrilling win over the Tennessee Titans.

“Our focus is on the Green Bay Packers and what we’re all going to do in this football game. I can’t state it any plainer than that. It’s like reality television, the way you guys follow social media and write stories about it.”

His response to all the Pickens nonsense over the past week is exactly what one should expect from one of the most tenured head coaches in the NFL.

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