Mike Tomlin downplays George Pickens' frustrations after win over Titans

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin doesn’t have time for the reality show that is social media. That’s why he shrugged off George Pickens recent Instagram snafu.

Or maybe it was a tantrum. Either description, Tomlin wasn’t that interested that Pickens, his talented receiver, posted “Free Me” on his Insta Story hours after he experienced a rough performance against the Titans.

During Tomlin’s Tuesday press conference, a reporter asked the coach about dealing with struggling young players.

“Like breathing, it’s easy,” Tomlin said. “I know it’s a cute story for you guys, but it is a pebble in my shoe, to be quite honest with you, in terms of the things that I have to do in an effort to get this group ready to play this week.

“Our focus is on the Green Bay Packers and what we’re all going to do in this football game. And I can’t state it any plainer than that. It’s like reality television, the way you guys follow social media and write stories about it.”

You have to admit that an NFL player erasing all mention of his team from his social media will draw attention. There was the “Free Me” post. He appeared to have unfollowed quarterback Kenny Pickett, Tomlin and the Steelers’ official social media account. And it all came after George Pickens suffered through a miserable evening. Although the Steelers beat the Titans, the Tennessee defense held him to a career-low of two catches for -1 yard. He appeared to score a touchdown, but he didn’t have both feet in bounds.

Plus, Pickens had a rotten game the week before. In the past two games combined, he’s caught only three passes, although Steelers quarterbacks threw his way 10 times. But before the ebb, there was the flow of consecutive 100-yard games. Young players can grow frustrated. The Steelers selected Pickens out of Georgia in the second round of the 2022 draft.

Meanwhile, Diontae Johnson returned from injury. In his two games back, Johnson has pulled in 15 of 23 passes thrown his way for 175 yards and a touchdown. That touchdown was the game-winner against the Titans. And reporters covering the game at Acrisure Stadium noted that George Pickens wasn’t celebrating when Johnson caught the pass.

He also was the first player to leave the locker room and he didn’t talk to his teammates. So while Mike Tomlin probably has taken care of the situation, having a young, talented player pout on social media probably is more annoying than a pebble in his shoe.