George Pickens offers blunt message on future of Steelers offense after wild card loss to Ravens
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been eliminated from the NFL playoffs. Mike Tomlin’s team fell in the wild card round once again on Saturday night, losing 28-14 to the Baltimore Ravens. The Steelers crashed out of the wild card round againGetty For the fourth time in five years, Pittsburgh have failed to make it through to the Divisional Round. And George Pickens struggled to hide his frustrations post-game. The talented but troubled wide receiver has been with the Steelers since 2022 and is supposed to be quarterback Russell Wilson‘s most dependable option. He has led the team in receiving yards this season, but has also struggled at times to keep his emotions in check. Last week, as Pittsburgh were beaten by the Cincinnati Bengals, Pickens was seen clashing with fans. Now, he has offered a blunt message to his teammates. Speaking to reporters after the playoff disappointment, Pickens acknowledged that he has ‘seen signs of growth’ from the Pittsburgh offense since his rookie season, and was asked if that makes him ‘optimistic’ for the future. “Nah,” he responded, delivering a candid and brutal one-word answer. Pickens played in 14 regular season games in 2024, registering 59 receptions, 900 yards and three touchdowns. He’s recorded at least 50 catches and 800 yards in all three of his NFL seasons, having emerged as the top receiving threat in Pittsburgh. Pickens shared his frustrations after Pittsburgh’s playoff lossGetty View Tweet: https://twitter.com/hashtag/Steelers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw During that time, he has caught passes from five different quarterbacks – and that number could rise if he stays with the franchise. Quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields are both set to hit free agency in the offseason, and that kind of uncertainty, as well as a late-season slide, has probably contributed to a lack of optimism from Pickens. And while Wilson failed to carry the Steelers past the wild card round, he admitted post-game that he hopes to return in 2025. “The Pittsburgh Steelers organization, man. It’s been such a blessing to be here,” the veteran QB said. “The guys that we have, the organization, it’s truly first class. We love the city, obviously, and what it means, not just to me and Ciara and our family, but just also the National Football League. “It’s a special place, with special guys. We’ve got a special coach in Coach Tomlin. We’ve got a special organization, special people, special players, special fanbase. Wilson is hopeful to return to the Steelers next seasonGetty “It’s been truly a blessing in my life. It’s been one of the best years for me, personally, to be a Pittsburgh Steeler. “Obviously, I hope I’m here, and everything else. I trust God, whatever that is.” While the Steelers crashed out of the playoffs, Baltimore, their AFC North rivals, move on to the Divisional Round and will face either the Buffalo Bills on the road, or the Houston Texans at home. Follow talkSPORT NFL on Facebook Follow our talkSPORT NFL page on Facebook for the latest breaking NFL news, exclusive video interviews, and the biggest talking points from around the league. Our dedicated NFL YouTube channel ‘End Zone’ will also keep you across the very latest NFL news with exclusive access and our weekly ‘Rundown’ review show.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been eliminated from the NFL playoffs.
Mike Tomlin’s team fell in the wild card round once again on Saturday night, losing 28-14 to the Baltimore Ravens.
For the fourth time in five years, Pittsburgh have failed to make it through to the Divisional Round.
And George Pickens struggled to hide his frustrations post-game.
The talented but troubled wide receiver has been with the Steelers since 2022 and is supposed to be quarterback Russell Wilson‘s most dependable option.
He has led the team in receiving yards this season, but has also struggled at times to keep his emotions in check.
Last week, as Pittsburgh were beaten by the Cincinnati Bengals, Pickens was seen clashing with fans.
Now, he has offered a blunt message to his teammates.
Speaking to reporters after the playoff disappointment, Pickens acknowledged that he has ‘seen signs of growth’ from the Pittsburgh offense since his rookie season, and was asked if that makes him ‘optimistic’ for the future.
“Nah,” he responded, delivering a candid and brutal one-word answer.
Pickens played in 14 regular season games in 2024, registering 59 receptions, 900 yards and three touchdowns.
He’s recorded at least 50 catches and 800 yards in all three of his NFL seasons, having emerged as the top receiving threat in Pittsburgh.
During that time, he has caught passes from five different quarterbacks – and that number could rise if he stays with the franchise.
Quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields are both set to hit free agency in the offseason, and that kind of uncertainty, as well as a late-season slide, has probably contributed to a lack of optimism from Pickens.
And while Wilson failed to carry the Steelers past the wild card round, he admitted post-game that he hopes to return in 2025.
“The Pittsburgh Steelers organization, man. It’s been such a blessing to be here,” the veteran QB said.
“The guys that we have, the organization, it’s truly first class. We love the city, obviously, and what it means, not just to me and Ciara and our family, but just also the National Football League.
“It’s a special place, with special guys. We’ve got a special coach in Coach Tomlin. We’ve got a special organization, special people, special players, special fanbase.
“It’s been truly a blessing in my life. It’s been one of the best years for me, personally, to be a Pittsburgh Steeler.
“Obviously, I hope I’m here, and everything else. I trust God, whatever that is.”
While the Steelers crashed out of the playoffs, Baltimore, their AFC North rivals, move on to the Divisional Round and will face either the Buffalo Bills on the road, or the Houston Texans at home.
Follow talkSPORT NFL on Facebook
Follow our talkSPORT NFL page on Facebook for the latest breaking NFL news, exclusive video interviews, and the biggest talking points from around the league.
Our dedicated NFL YouTube channel ‘End Zone’ will also keep you across the very latest NFL news with exclusive access and our weekly ‘Rundown’ review show.
