NFL hits Steelers WR George Pickens with huge fine for multiple violations vs. Bengals

Steelers wideout George Pickens has been no stranger to unsportsmanlike conduct violations over the years. And the NFL decided to punish him again for what he did on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. Pickens was fined $20,462 for two unsportsmanlike conduct violations, one of them was pointing a finger gun towards the stands after hauling in a 46-yard catch. The news was relayed on Saturday afternoon by Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network.

You can see the video of the play below.

The NFL fined #Steelers WR George Pickens $20,462 for two unsportsmanlike conduct violations — including his finger gun towards the stands after a 46-yard catch last week. pic.twitter.com/rINarLrG9m

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 7, 2024

Pickens finished the game with three catches with 74 receiving yards and a touchdown, but unfortunately for him, his wallet will be a little bit lighter. He’s an exceptional talent, but the mercurial star has had his fair share of getting into trouble. This season, he’s hauled in 55 catches for 850 receiving yards and three touchdowns. For his NFL career thus far, Pickens has reeled in 170 total catches for 2,791 receiving yards and three total touchdowns.

The Steelers (9-3 overall and 5-2 overall) managed to defeat the Bengals (4-8 overall, 1-5 home). Pittsburgh came away with a 44-38 win, and it was thanks to the spectacular performance from quarterback Russell Wilson, who has not disappointed this year.

Wilson completed 29 of 38 passes for 414 passing yards against the Bengals, while tossing in three touchdowns with one interception. He was only sacked twice. He spread the football around, with ten different receivers hauling in a catch.

Pickens faces the Cleveland Browns again on Sunday

Pickens and the Steelers will face off against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

The last time Pickens faced off against the Browns, he found himself in a scuffle. On the final play of the Steelers’ 24-19 loss to the Browns, he could be seen wrestling into the back of the end zone with Cleveland defensive back Greg Newsome II. The two tumbled near the stands before Russell Wilson‘s Hail Mary pass had even been deflected.

Instead of letting bygones be bygones once he hit the locker room, Pickens decided to disparage the Browns while speaking with the media afterward, crediting the snowy conditions for their victory, and declining to heap any praise on Cleveland’s team.

“Just keep grinding. Conditions played a huge, huge part in today’s game,” Pickens told the media, via Alan Saunders of Pittsburgh Sports Now. “I don’t really think the Cleveland Browns are a good team at all. The conditions kinda saved them.”

As you can tell, Pickens decided to hate on the Browns following the game, as he was frustrated with the way it all shook out in Cleveland. On seven targets, Pickens finished the loss with four receptions for 48 yards.

His 48 yards were the least he’s recorded in a game since the Steelers’ 20-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 6.

On3’s Steve Samra also contributed to this article.