(Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens was criticized this week after he appeared not to throw a block for running back Jaylen Warren during their team’s 30-13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 15.
Pickens has been at the center of a few other controversies this season as well after he appeared to be visibly frustrated with his role on the team on several occasions.
But when he heard the comments being made about his effort on the Warren play, the second-year wideout wanted to set the record straight about who was talking about him.
“All the people that’s questioning my effort, they don’t play football,” Pickens said, via ESPN’s Brooke Pryor. “They do what y’all [the media] do.”
George Pickens asked about people questioning his effort, particularly on plays like the lack of block on Jaylen Warren’s run:
Pickens: “Yeah, all the people that’s questioning my effort, they don’t play football. They do what y’all (the media) do.”
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) December 19, 2023
Pickens later added that he was “trying to prevent the Tank Dell situation” after the Houston Texans rookie wide receiver suffered a season-ending injury while blocking on a run play at the goal line.
Pickens hasn’t had as good a second season as many expected from him.
He’s almost tied his rookie stats from this past season with 52 receptions for 814 yards and three touchdowns on 91 targets in 14 games.
This past year in 2022, Pickens caught 52 total receptions for 801 yards and four touchdowns on 84 targets in 17 games.
The Steeles offense has been worse this year, though, despite quarterback Kenny Pickett also playing in his second season.
Pittsburgh ranks 28th in scoring this year, 28th in passing yards, and 31st in passing touchdowns – slightly lower than their 26th-ranked scoring offense and 24th-ranked passing offense.
Pickens is supposed to be a big part of the offense, but it’s been hard to break out when the team as a whole isn’t performing.
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