Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin criticized wide receiver George Pickens after his team's 44-38 win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.
Pickens led the team with three catches for 75 yards and a touchdown in the first quarter. However, Tomlin was dissatisfied with the penalty Pickens committed. The wide receiver was assessed two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties during the game. Pittsburgh was penalized nine times for 103 yards.
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Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin speaks to reporters after an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)
“He's got to grow up,” Tomlin told reporters. Via ESPN. “This is an emotional game, dude. This divisional game is important. He's got a target on his back because he's George, and he understands that. But he's got to grow. He's got to grow up in a hurry. Must be.”
Pickens' actions have been under the microscope this season.
He got into a fight with Cleveland Browns defensive back Greg Newsome II during a Thursday night game last month. He was also accused of pulling out of play earlier this season.
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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens, number 14, commits unsportsmanlike conduct during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Cincinnati. I was warned and reacted. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
On Sunday, Pickens avoided a costly ejection due to a penalty. One of the flags occurred when he made a “violent gesture” after gaining a first down. The penalty was called because NFL officials believed he was making a gun-like gesture seen throughout the league this season. Pickens said authorities misunderstood his hand signals.
The other penalty was for throwing the ball into a group of Bengals players in the first quarter.
Pickens said there's no need to do anything different.
“No, to be honest, like I said earlier, I can keep running my routes and keep making plays,” he told reporters in part, adding that regardless of the “tingling” the team He added that he was simply happy that he came out on top.
Pickens has been a bright spot in the Steelers' receiver corps this season. He has 55 catches for 850 yards and three touchdowns.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (number 14) after scoring a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half of an NFL football game in Cincinnati, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. Celebrating with running back Jalen Warren (uniform number 30). (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
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The Steelers are in first place in the AFC North with a record of 9 wins and 3 losses this season.
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