Steelers' Mike Tomlin addresses George Pickens drama

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin sounds unbothered about any potential drama regarding second-year wide receiver George Pickens. 

"I know it's a cute story for you guys, but it is a pebble in my shoe to be quite honest with you in terms of the things that I have to do in an effort to get this group ready to play," Tomlin said about the Pickens situation while speaking with reporters on Tuesday, per Brooke Pryor of ESPN. "This week our focus is on the Green Bay Packers and what we're all going to do in this football game, and I can't state it any plainer than that. It's like reality television, the way you guys follow social media and write stories about it."

Pickens appeared visibly annoyed during Pittsburgh's 20-16 win over the Tennessee Titans last Thursday night and then deleted pictures that referenced the Steelers from his Instagram. The 22-year-old who recorded two catches for minus one yard against Tennessee also posted "free me" on an Instagram story and unfollowed the team on the site before he restored some Steelers content to his account. 

On Saturday, Pickens captioned an Instagram story: "Assumptions lol over a picture. That has nun to do with fb. yall need urgentcare lol." 

"He expresses frustration all the time," Tomlin admitted about Pickens. "He wants to be significant. He wants to be a reason why we're successful. Y'all don't begrudge that. I want guys who want the football. I want guys who want to be central reasons why we're successful and so that's a non-issue to be quite honest with you."

According to ESPN stats, Pickens leads the 5-3 Steelers with 30 receptions, 58 targets, 521 receiving yards and three touchdown grabs. However, he tallied just three catches over the past two games. 

Quarterback Kenny Pickett will next have a chance to make Pickens happy when Pittsburgh hosts the 3-5 Packers this coming Sunday. As of Tuesday afternoon, oddschecker listed the Steelers as three-point favorites over the Packers.