The Pittsburgh Steelers rattled off their second straight win for the first time in the 2022 season. The Steelers beat the Atlanta Falcons on the road, 19-16 in Week 13. In the win, WR George Pickens showed some emotion most likely about the lack of targets or just the lack of playing time in general. Fans have varying thoughts towards the "outburst" or however you want to refer to it. It doesn't seem to be too big of an issue inside the Steelers' locker room.
George Pickens celebrates two-point conversion for Pittsburgh Steelers at Indianapolis Colts / AP Photo
Some media outlets understood Pickens' frustration, but not necessarily the way the rookie WR went about addressing the frustration. Pickens had just 1 catch for 2 yards on 2 targets in the team's win on Sunday. Mike Tomlin addressed the topic in a very Tomlin-style manner, giving us another class Tomlinism. He's a player's coach and there's a reason why, he defends his players in non-stories that sometimes get blown out of proportion!
“I’d rather say, ‘Woah’ than ‘Sick ’em.’ I want a guy that wants to be a significant part of what it is that we do. Now the appropriate and professional, mature way to express that, we’re growing and working on and we will continue,” Tomlin said in his Tuesday press conference.“But that spirit, that competitive spirit, that guy that wants the ball, nah I want that guy. These guys know that they have to deliver. For a guy that wants to do that, I’m not going to make that a negative. No matter how silly I think the commentary is or people talking about him expressing frustrations and stuff and trying to make it a negative storyline. I laugh at that.”
Mike Tomlin on the sideline of Steelers 35-13 loss at Philadelphia. Photo credit - Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers' ultimate leader, Cam Heyward discussed the situation a little on the most recent episode of his Not Just Football podcast:
“I honestly didn’t know what was going on, but I could just tell in his body language that he needed the pick me up,” Heyward said. “As a team captain, as a leader, I’m always gonna have my guys' back. I said ‘George, this game’s gonna keep coming your way. One game, one play, one series, is not the end George. When it’s not looking your way, you look for other ways to be better.'”
Great leadership by Cam Heyward to calm down a frustrated George Pickens. pic.twitter.com/B4Li7FLUU1
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) December 4, 2022
You can say what you want about this Steelers team, but they have each other's backs. They look out for one another and that's just what veteran players are supposed to do. Another member of this Steelers team has stepped up in a big way as a leader in 2022. He has let his leadership shine through yet again this week. WR Diontae Johnson had some words of wisdom for Pickens when he was asked about Pickens' frustration coming out in Week 13.
Credit: Steelers YouTube page
"Keep playing. Always stay ready. You never know when the ball is going to come your way," Johnson stated what his advice to Pickens was. "The minute you put that in your head, 'I'm not getting the ball, I'm not getting enough targets,' that's when you start to focus on the wrong things, and you don't really be as locked as you should be. And there's times when there's plays to be made and you ain't really all the way in, you're worried about the last play, you were about not getting the ball. So it's just really just focus on the right thing. Let things go. Stuff's gonna happen throughout the game whether you like it or not."
What do yinz think about the advice that Diontae Johnson has offered sensational rookie WR George Pickens? Sound off in the comment section below, or on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram!
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