You are currently viewing ‘Trade him’ – Steelers fans reach breaking point with George Pickens after troubled star erupts

‘Trade him’ – Steelers fans reach breaking point with George Pickens after troubled star erupts

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Pittsburgh can deal with George Pickens’ constant drama when the Steelers are winning.

But Pittsburgh’s late-season slide continued on Saturday, and Pickens’ latest in-game problems didn’t add any new fans.

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George Pickens had a bad day on and off the field with the Steelers[/caption]

The talented but troubled Steelers wide receiver was seen clashing with fans in the stands during a 19-17 home loss to Cincinnati.

Joe Burrow and the Bengals kept their season alive entering the final day of the 2024 camapign.

Pittsburgh fell to 10-7 and dropped its fourth consecutive game, blowing its lead of the AFC North in the process.

But the biggest problem for the Steelers, again, was Pickens.

The second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft is supposed to be Pittsburgh’s primary wideout and Russell Wilson‘s most dependable receiving option.

Yet Pickens only caught one of his six targets during the loss to the Bengals.

Video footage later revealed that the 23-year-old was shouting at fans during Pittsburgh’s latest defeat.

Pickens appeared to call out and motion at the nearby crowd.

“Talking trash to some of the fans,” an announcer said.

While the third-year pro was pictured being held back by a teammate, a replay showed Pickens dropping a pass in the middle of the field after being hit.

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He called out fans[/caption]

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Pickens was so angry he had to be held back[/caption]

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But his intensity kicked in as the drama continued[/caption]

A month ago, respected Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin said that the mercurial Pickens had to mature quickly.

“He’s just got to grow up, man,” Tomlin said.

“This is an emotional game, man. These divisional games are big.

“He’s got a target on his back because he’s George, he understands that.

“But he’s got to grow up. He’s got to grow up in a hurry.”

Pickens let the Steelers down again on Sunday, and Pittsburgh will now be forced to fight its way through the playoffs while staring up at almost every remaining team in the AFC.

“Some will defend him,” one fan tweeted. “That is one of the most talented kids we’ve seen come through …. but man… it’s exhausting.”

“Once again, the Steelers have locker room issues,” a second fan posted. “A long pattern.”

“Get him off the team now,” a third fan wrote.

Wilson defended Pickens, who must be at his best on the field during the postseason.

“I believe in George,” said Wilson, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “I believe in who he is, the player he is. He’s been a star for us all season.”

But Steelers fans appear to be increasingly out on a receiver who often makes it more about himself than his team.

Pickens’ numbers were down in 2024 and Pittsburgh is going backward heading into the playoffs.

“We’re in a single-elimination tournament now, so we better turn our attention toward playing good football and better than we have particularly in recent weeks,” Tomlin said.

“Get him out of Pittsburgh,” a fan tweeted. “Trade him.”

“This is why he cannot be offered a contract,” a second fan posted. “Can you imagine the way he will act when he is getting paid more …”

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