After the Pittsburgh Steelers misplaced to the Cleveland Browns in Week 12, George Pickens grew to become a goal for followers to take their frustration out on. Not solely did Pickens’ questionable actions on the ultimate play of the sport result in a post-game brawl with Greg Newsome II, however his locker room feedback after the sport rubbed many the flawed method.
“The situations performed an enormous half in at this time’s sport,” Pickens mentioned on the loss, through beat reporter Alan Saunders. “I do not actually assume the Cleveland Browns are a very good crew in any respect. Suppose the situations type of saved them at this time.”
Followers weren’t appreciative of the star wideout showing to take no duty for the loss after recording simply 4 catches for 48 receiving yards and no touchdowns. Pickens barely touched on his altercation with Newsome, merely calling it “nothing.”
“What a idiot,” one fan commented. “Deserves all of the backlash and mocking he is gonna get for this.”
“I really like what a b**** he’s [laughing emoji,” another fan reacted.
“Not a good mentality to have buddy.”
The incident with Newsome was the second time in the last three weeks that fans noticed his actions on the field more for his engagement with opposing players than his impact on the game. Against the Washington Commanders in Week 10, Pickens’ wrestling-like attack on rookie cornerback Mike Sainristil had fans claiming he was the NFL’s best “Mortal Kombat” player.
Steelers wideout George Pickens’ statistical production through 11 games
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Whereas Week 12 was a letdown for Pickens within the snow, the third-year receiver continues to be on observe to have a profession yr by the top of 2024. Whereas he continues to cope with unstable quarterback play, Pickens is on observe for his second straight 1,000-yard season with an opportunity to set a brand new career-high in receiving yards.
The Georgia alum notched 1,140 yards in 2023, a considerable enchancment from his 801 in 2022 as a rookie. By the primary 11 video games of 2024, Pickens has 776 receiving yards, placing him on observe to squeak previous his 2023 manufacturing by a slim margin.
Nevertheless, whereas Pickens has been one of many league’s most dependable pass-catchers since Russell Wilson took over below heart, he nonetheless has simply two touchdowns on the yr. Discovering the top zone has been the most important wrestle for Pickens all through his profession as he has by no means topped greater than 5 in a single season.
Each of Pickens’ touchdowns in 2024 have come since Wilson took over because the Steelers’ beginning quarterback. The 23-year-old hauled in his first rating in Wilson’s first begin of the yr towards the New York Jets earlier than reaching paydirt once more two weeks later towards the Washington Commanders. Pickens’ second rating of the yr stays his greatest spotlight of 2024 as he beat cornerback Noah Igbinoghene earlier than contorting his physique mid-air to totally lengthen and reel within the go.