Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens is not happy and has made sure to let everyone know about it, posting “Free Me” on social media and removing all Steelers-related material from his Instagram. He also unfollowed head coach Mike Tomlin and quarterback Kenny Pickett.
This comes on the heels of a couple of rough weeks for for Pickens. He logged two catches for negative-1 yards in Pittsburgh’s win over the Tennessee Titans this past Thursday, and in Week 8, he caught just one pass (which was a 22-yard touchdown grab) in a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Obviously, Pickens is frustrated with his lack of touches, but former Cincinnati Bengals wide out Chad Johnson says Pickens needs to take matters into his own hands.
“Pickens, you’re easily one of the best,” Johnson said on Shannon Sharpe’s Nightcap Podcast.” Easily one of the top-five in the league if they can use you right, but when your opportunities come to you and I love you, you got to make the most of them. Due to the inconsistencies at the quarterback position. You got to do everything you can when the ball comes your way.”
That certainly applies to a failed touchdown for Pickens against the Titans, when he was unable to get both feet in bounds on a pass into the end zone from Pickett in spite of having plenty of room.
On the season overall, Pickens has logged 30 catches for 521 yards and three scores. He has posted three 100-yard efforts this year, topping out at 130 yards in a win over the Baltimore Ravens back on Oct. 8.
So, it’s certainly not like Pickens hasn’t been getting the football. He is just mired in a bit of a slump these past couple of weeks.
Pickens is just 22 years old, so chances are, he will mature as time passes and will learn not to take his frustrations out on social media just because of a couple of shaky outings.
The Steelers are 5-3 on the season and sit one-and-a-half games behind the Ravens for first place in the AFC North. They will take on the Green Bay Packers next Sunday.
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