Young Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens has put up some pretty decent numbers thus far this season. Heck, he’s been their most consistent pass-catcher since joining the Steelers as a second-round pick out of Georgia in the 2022 NFL Draft.
That’s not the issue. Rather, it’s all about a lack of consistent effort from both Pickens and fellow Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson this season.
That came out in droves during Saturday’s ugly 30-13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. There were multiple instances in which Pickens failed to show the necessary effort to compete in an actual NFL game.
Check out this hilariously bad attempt at a block with Jaylen Warren attempting to score.
Actually, saying that Pickens even attempted a block would be an exaggeration. He wanted absolutely no contact, and it showed.
The very same game saw Pickens literally run away from contact after Mitchell Trubisky threw an interception on a pass intended for the wide receiver. Check out the sophomore simply run away from the play after the pick.
- George Pickens stats (2023): 52 receptions, 814 yards, 3 TD
Effort and body language has been a major issue for Steelers wide receivers this season. Sure, quarterback play in Pittsburgh has been a disaster. But continuing to do this on a weekly basis does not paint Pickens in the best of lights.
“I think what gets lost in the sauce a lot of times as far as that’s concerned is these guys are competitors. They wanna win and it’s coming from a good place when they show their frustrations,” interim offensive coordinator Eddie Faulkner after last week’s loss to the New England Patriots
Pittsburgh Steelers’ George Pickens blasted for lack of effort
Those watching Saturday’s game and the Steelers’ ugly loss noticed the same thing as us.