Chargers Take Savage Shot At Former Steelers WR George Pickens In Viral Schedule Drop

The Pittsburgh Steelers found out their exact 2025 NFL official schedule, as did the other 31 NFL teams, on Wednesday. It's always an exciting time of year for football fans, as they can start to feel the season getting closer and the energy around the league begins to pick up. With every team’s full slate of games now known, fans begin planning trips, predicting records, and circling the biggest matchups on the calendar.

One of the fun traditions that has grown around schedule release day is the wave of creative videos teams share on social media. The Steelers' video this year, however, was met with disappointment. Many fans felt it missed the mark and lacked the humor or cleverness seen in past years. While some appreciated the effort, a majority seemed to agree it fell flat and didn’t measure up to what other teams delivered.

Among the most talked-about schedule release videos was the one posted by the Los Angeles Chargers. Known for their humor-style approach, the Chargers once again impressed fans across the league with a blend of entertainment and bold humor. 

During their reveal of the Steelers matchup, they appeared to take a savage shot at former Pittsburgh wide receiver George Pickens. Though he wasn’t named directly, the visual was clear enough that many viewers quickly picked up on the reference.

Many fans didn’t think twice about the two signs displayed by the Chargers. One read "Open Always" and the other said "Absolutely No Children Allowed." At first glance, they seemed like harmless phrases, but some Steelers fans immediately recognized what was really going on. The signs weren’t just for show. They were direct shots at the sometimes troubled star Pickens.

The message ties back to a primetime game between the Steelers and Cowboys. After a weather delay, Pickens returned to the field wearing eye black with the words "Open F***ing Always" clearly visible. The message sparked a wave of reactions online. Pickens claimed he didn’t know about the NFL’s policy that bans written messages on eye black. To add to the controversy, he was fined over $10,000 for a facemask penalty in the same game.

This offseason, the Steelers traded Pickens to the Cowboys. The official reason was never made public, but many believe the team had simply had enough. His on-field behavior, frequent distractions, and lack of maturity may have worn thin in a locker room that values discipline and team-first attitudes. The move didn’t shock insiders, but it did leave a mark.

Steelers Move Forward Without Pickens

Now that the Steelers have officially moved on from Pickens, there is hope that the culture in Pittsburgh can return to what many refer to as the Steeler Way. Since the trade, several stories have come to light about behind-the-scenes issues involving Pickens and the organization. While his talent was never in question, the Steelers have a long history of moving on quickly from wide receivers who create distractions or fail to buy into the team-first mentality.

There is an old saying in Pittsburgh that you should never buy a wide receiver Mike Tomlin is willing to sell. The Cowboys chose to ignore that advice and took a chance on Pickens. As the 2025 season approaches, NFL fans will be watching closely to see if Pickens becomes a game-changing weapon for Dallas or if his off-field concerns continue to follow him. The spotlight will be bright, and the results will speak for themselves.

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