The Steelers suffered a brutal loss to the Patriots on Thursday night, losing to a team that entered the game just two wins for the second consecutive week. Pittsburgh’s offense struggled the entire game, and wide receiver George Pickens especially had a tough night with five catches for just 19 yards.
Pickens showed his frustration throughout the game, as his body language revealed a wide receiver who seemed to be letting the lack of production get into his head. That included a moment in the second quarter when Pickens appeared to not fully commit to a block on a run play, something that commentator Kirk Herbstreit criticized on the Amazon Prime Video broadcast.
Chuck Noll would've had George Pickens running laps at halftime with an effort like this while the Steelers were losing 21-3 in the 2nd QTR. pic.twitter.com/UtWDxqAvug
— Billy Hartford (@BudDupreeFan) December 8, 2023
Then, in the third quarter, Thursday Night Football broadcast cameras caught coach Mike Tomlin giving Pickens a lecture, and Herbstreit speculated the conversation was about Pickens’ effort in the game.
“He’s just communicating how important it is for him to show some maturity and to just keep fighting to be a part of what this offense is trying to do,” Herbstreit said.
Al Michaels says Mike Tomlin had some “choice words” for George Pickens after Steelers last offensive possession. Not sure how Al knows what was being said. pic.twitter.com/GTEbO4XxMq
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) December 8, 2023
However, Pickens’ body language didn’t appear to improve after that talk with Tomlin. After a key moment in the fourth quarter, when the Steelers turned the ball over on downs while trailing by 11, Pickens again showed his frustration with the offense.
George Pickens is going through it.pic.twitter.com/Wgkr2FPohg
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 8, 2023
Pickens has endured an up-and-down tenure in two seasons with the Steelers, but he does boast 1,568 career receiving yards and seven touchdown catches in 30 games.
