George Pickens, a wide receiver with the Pittsburgh Steelers, has recently drawn criticism for arriving late to the team’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas Day.
Despite head coach Mike Tomlin’s order for players to come at the stadium at least two hours before start, Pickens reportedly came just one hour and twenty-five minutes before kickoff. The club had already turned in their inactive list when this late arrival happened.
This incident is one of several issues with Pickens’ dedication and timeliness. He was said to have been late for team meetings earlier in the season. His professionalism has been called into doubt by this behavior, particularly as he nears the end of his rookie contract.
Pickens was permitted to start the game against the Chiefs despite arriving late. Out of all the wide receivers on the club, he received the most targets and played the most snaps. On the other hand, the Steelers lost that game 29–10.
In a postgame interview following the game, Pickens was shown congratulating Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and quarterback Patrick Mahomes, which further fueled the dispute.
Fans began to speculate about his intentions after he made this motion; some thought it was an attempt to get moved to the Chiefs.
Pickens’ actions may have an impact on the Steelers’ decisions about his future with the team as they assess their roster in the offseason.
Although he is clearly talented on the field, his role in the upcoming season and contract negotiations may be impacted by persistent problems off the field.