Steelers Former QB1 and WR Kordell Stewart Not Bothered By George Pickens Outrage

The Pittsburgh Steelers organization has become a little bit of a breeding ground for receivers who've earned the tag of being a "diva." Rookie George Pickens might be the newest name to add to the list.

Steelers rookie receiver George Pickens is the latest competitor to complain of a lack of the ball going his way / Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield/ Steeler Nation (Twitter @JSKO_PHOTO)

The Steelers are also not afraid to cut ties with them. They just traded third-year pass catcher Chase Claypool, who it had been speculated by Pro Football Talk to have "diva tendencies" back in 2021. The biggest diva story in perhaps all of football is Antonio Brown. His life turned into a big mess post-Pittsburgh and for their troubles, the organization picked up Diontae Johnson from a pick in the trade to send Brown to the then, Oakland Raiders.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Plaxico Buress and Emmanuel Saunders are names that one could add to the list too. That's getting way ahead of ourselves in the team's journey with the first-year pass catcher from the Univerity of Georgia says Former Pro Bowl Quarterback, Kordell Stewart.

The three-year starting quarterback at the University of Colorado began his pro career in Pittsburgh during the 1995 and 1996 seasons being used mostly at the receiver spot. The former Steelers, Chicago Bears and Baltimore Ravens, primarily signal caller, joined the PM Team with Poni & Mueller to discuss the latest around the team including the frustration Pickens displayed on the sideline during the team's win over the Atlanta Falcons.

"This is not an indictment on George Pickens," Stewart said during his weekly spot. "When you see the game is getting out of hand to the point where the momentum is shifting and you're open multiple times, it's a natural tendency for that athlete to get a little frustrated. Am I going to dock him for acting that way? No, I promise you I'm not."

Head Coach Mike Tomlin seemed to agree with what Stewart told host Chris Mueller and Anthony Filipponi. This is not a negative thing for a young competitive guy who just wants to be in the fight.

Steelers Many Mouths to Feed

The story earlier in the season was Johnson complaining about a lack of targets. Last week against the Falcons, he was the team's most targeted with 11, while Pickens was thrown to twice.

(Photo Credit: AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

The tight ends are becoming more involved in the game plan than in previous games. Pat Friermuth has become a bigger part of the passing game with a season-high 15.2 in yards per target per Pro Football Reference in the team's third win in four games. Rookie Connor Heyward caught a very emotional first career touchdown.

Not to forget the Steelers also still want to be running the ball using Najee Harris and the other running backs. They'll also continue to have a role in the passing attack which will take targets away.

There would be a lot more balls going Pickens's way if Stewart were playing quarterback and targets were based on talent.

   "He's the better target, he's the most consistent target when it comes to making good plays on the field," Stewart said. "He's a younger player and he knows where he comes from and to see how he works and how he prepares, to see those oppurtunities are not presenting themselves that's frusterating."

Kenny Pickett will have to rediscover some of their earlier season magic and Pickens will have to keep things going well. The good thing is there is lots of time with both in their first years and showing flashes of what is possible to come.

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 20: Kenny Pickett #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers attempts a pass during the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium on November 20, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

So, Steeler Nation, what do you think of Stewart's comments? Are people freaking out over the Pickens outburst?

Let us know in the comment section or on social media.

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