Steelers WR George Pickens says Rams players were trying to antagonize him

Trash talk is pretty common across the NFL. So, when Steelers wide receiver George Pickens says multiple Rams defenders attempted to get in his head on Sunday, it’s not particularly surprising. But the second-year star out of Georgia obviously didn’t allow it to faze him.

Pickens explained that Rams defensive backs were “antagonizing” him throughout Sunday’s game. It was an effort to throw the receiver off of his game.

“I felt like, personally, a game like this showed me they’re kind of looking for me to kind of mess up and guys are antagonizing me more because today is the first time I’d seen anything like that,” Pickens said, per the team’s website. “Guys really trying to get me out of the game or get under my skin deliberately.” 

Poor strategy from Los Angeles. Pickens hauled in five receptions for 107 yards and Pittsburgh secured a 24-17 victory to improve to 4-2 on the year. The Rams dropped to 3-4.

At one point in the second half, Pickens was flagged for taunting — an in-your-face moment from the receiver.

“They were just saying to stay in it because, in the moment, you can’t spiral out because then the result can be different,” Pickens said. “But they were just saying to stay in it.”

Through the first six games, Pickens has emerged as Pittsburgh’s top receiver — by a wide margin. He has totaled 27 catches for 500 yards and two touchdowns. Nobody else on the roster has more than 165 receiving yards this season.

Terry Bradshaw gives major props to Steelers QB Kenny Pickett

Although there are still some concerns about the Steelers’ offense, FOX NFL analyst Terry Bradshaw gave some major props to Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett.

“I will tell you what, Pickett doesn’t throw for a lot of touchdowns, yet,” Bradshaw said on the FOX postgame show, via Andrew Fillipponi of 93.7 The Fan. “In time he will. He is the perfect quarterback for this team. Very selfless type human being, he doesn’t mind handing the ball off. He’s great in the clutch and great under pressure, and you saw that again today.”

Pickett did enough to help the Steelers get a win on Sunday. He completed 17-of-25 passes for 230 yards. He didn’t throw any touchdown passes but also ended the game without an interception.

A second-year quarterback, Pickett still has plenty to learn. But, right now, he’s playing well enough for the Steelers to own a 4-2 record.