A common rule of thumb in NFL locker rooms is that coaches would rather have receivers who demand the football than players who don’t mind being left out of the game plan for the week. The difference between the two is practically the definition of what Pittsburgh lacks: playmakers.
George Pickens is one such playmaker, with more highlight-reel catches over the past few seasons than most players have in their entire careers. However, the issue isn’t his ability on the football field; it’s his maturity off of it.
Pickens has consistently shown his true colors when faced with adversity—whether it’s a lack of effort on run plays last season, mishandling media responsibilities, unsportsmanlike conduct with Dallas defensive backs, or now the NFL’s investigation into the explicit language in his eye black from Week 5.
Receivers like Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Diontae Johnson have all been embroiled in off-the-field drama in one way or another. Pittsburgh handled this the best way they could: they traded them or let them hit free agency. Is Pickens the next one out the door?
