An old and oft-recycled Mike Tomlin adage is, “We need volunteers, not hostages.” Le’Veon Bell, Steven Nelson, Melvin Ingram, and, most recently, Diontae Johnson all made it clear they wanted out of Pittsburgh. We’re wondering if George Pickens is the latest to feel more like a Pittsburgh Steelers hostage.
Steelers Nation has witnessed evident flashes of I’ve-had-enough-here-in-Pittsburgh from Pickens during his career. He may have reached his tipping point.
Of course, like most athletes, it’s all smiles when their teams win. But the three-game skid from Weeks 15-17 could be enough to push Pickens over the edge.
Has Pickens had enough of the Steelers? Have the Steelers had enough of Pickens? Those questions could be answered sooner than later. While Pickens is under contract through 2025, the Steelers typically re-up top-tier players the season before.
The best solution might just be for Pittsburgh to cut ties and get what they can for him in a trade. The last thing the club needs is a disgruntled Pickens heading into a contract season. Wide receivers grow on trees, and the NFL draft will be here before we know it.
Tomlin and general manager Omar Khan might want to rethink their approach to drafting wide receivers with apparent character issues. They knew what they were getting in Antonio Brown and they knew what they were getting with George Pickens. With the college ranks oozing with talented receivers, is selecting one they know will be a problem really worth it?
