Steelers' Mike Tomlin Slammed For Letting George Pickens Take Advantage Of Him

The Pittsburgh Steelers made the shocking move to part ways with star wideout George Pickens. Entering the final season of his rookie deal in 2025, it became clear that a fresh start was the best outcome for both sides. While Pickens gears up for a new chapter with the Dallas Cowboys, the Steelers are facing mounting questions regarding their decision to move on from the talented 24-year-old receiver.

As the dust settles on the surprising trade, more stories have begun to surface about Pickens' time in Pittsburgh, shedding light on some of the behind-the-scenes issues that led to his departure. The revelation of internal tensions is raising eyebrows as fans and analysts alike are eager to understand what really happened during Pickens’ time in the Steel City.

According to Steelers insider Brian Batko, during a recent chat with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pickens actually took advantage of Head Coach Mike Tomlin’s leniency, and Tomlin allowed it. This statement has sparked even more questions about the internal dynamics within the team, as many are now wondering if Tomlin’s protective nature might have played a role in Pickens' departure.

"I should preface this by saying we aren't necessarily privy to every conversation Mike Tomlin has behind closed doors or discipline he might hand down," Batko said. "But I do think it's an entirely fair criticism that he gave Pickens a lot of leeway and Pickens ultimately took advantage of that, all the way until the end."

The Steelers have a recent history of drafting talented wide receivers but struggling to keep them on the right path in Pittsburgh. Following the 2025 NFL Draft, Steelers fans heard Omar Khan and Tomlin speak about the importance of having a Steelers DNA.

For many fans, it seemed that Pickens didn’t quite fit that mold, and yet, Tomlin appeared to allow him to operate without facing any public consequences. This has led to growing frustration, as it seems Tomlin may have overlooked or tolerated behavior that didn’t align with the team’s values.

"We can all think of at least a few public moments for Pickens that arguably were worthy of a playing time punishment," Batko said. "Who knows how many private instances there were too? Other than that Cowboys game when his snaps were cut way down, which everyone involved insisted was a part of the plan and even an analytical decision, Pickens never was held accountable in that way."

Pickens' three seasons in the Steel City were marked by a mix of high highs and low lows. He embodied the struggles of a young player trying to grow into his role in the NFL. 

While many Steelers fans have criticized Tomlin for thinking he could fix problematic wide receivers, the reality is that Tomlin often tolerates their issues, but when the time comes, he makes the tough decision to move on. Tomlin's patience with Pickens was clear, but it ultimately wasn’t enough to keep him in Pittsburgh when the business decision made more sense.

Steelers' Omar Khan Trying To Clean Up The Mess Left Before Him

In this case, Tomlin clearly valued Pickens more than many expected, but that didn’t prevent him from pulling the trigger when the time was right. The Steelers ultimately had little belief that they could reach an extension with Pickens—and perhaps, they didn’t want to. Committing a significant amount of money to a receiver as unpredictable as Pickens was a risky move, one the Steelers weren't willing to make.

Now, the Steelers are clearly shifting their focus, drafting players who fit what they call Steelers DNA. Khan didn’t draft Diontae Johnson or Pickens, but he played a role in moving both off the roster quickly during his tenure. Khan is cleaning up the mess left before him and working to reshape the Steelers' culture, looking for players who align with the team's values and long-term vision.