When the Pittsburgh Steelers selected George Pickens in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, concerns regarding his maturity were raised, causing him to drop on many draft boards. However, Pickens entered the NFL determined to prove his critics wrong and to make an immediate impact.
Over three seasons, despite being part of a struggling offense, Pickens has displayed significant talent. Yet, his maturity issues have sometimes overshadowed his potential. A notable incident occurred after the 2024 season when insider Mike DeFabo reported that Pickens was late to the Christmas Day game against the Kansas City Chiefs, raising questions about his dedication and discipline.
CBS Sports’ Aditi Kinkhabwala highlighted that Coach Mike Tomlin hasn’t engaged sufficiently with Pickens to help him mature, as issues with punctuality and consistency continue to persist. Kinkhabwala emphasized the need for strong player leadership within the team and pointed out that if Tomlin shies away from accountability, someone else on the staff must step in.
When questioned about Pickens being late for the Christmas game, Tomlin’s vague response further raised concerns, as he appeared to deflect the issue. Kinkhabwala noted that Pickens has consistently been late for meetings and games, including missing the deadline for inactives on Christmas Day. At some point, simply fining him may not be effective.
Pickens’ frustration on the field has led to penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct, and while Tomlin has publicly called for his maturity, Kinkhabwala believes more needs to be done behind the scenes to manage the situation effectively.
Despite these challenges, Pickens remains a talented player and a fan favorite, though some supporters see him as a liability and think he might be better suited elsewhere. As he approaches the final year of his rookie contract in 2025, opinions are divided on whether the Steelers should trade him or extend his contract to retain his potential long-term.
At just 23, Pickens has a lot of maturing to do, as highlighted by Tomlin. To stay with the Steelers, he must demonstrate professionalism both on and off the field; otherwise, his time in Pittsburgh could be limited. There is speculation that he may even desire a change of scenery to flourish in a different environment.
Insights from insiders criticizing Tomlin’s management of Pickens only add more complexity to the narrative, especially considering Pickens’ ongoing issues with punctuality throughout his career.
