Tomlin downplays Pickens drama: I want guys who want the ball
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin described George Pickens' apparent frustration with the team as a "non-issue" after the wide receiver appeared unhappy with his role.
"He expresses his frustration all the time," the Steelers coach told reporters Tuesday, including Christopher Carter of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "He wants to be significant. He wants to be a reason why we're successful. I want guys who want the football. I want guys who want to be central to our success. That's a non-issue."
Pickens looked dejected on the sideline during last week's win over the Tennessee Titans as he was held to just two catches for negative-1 yard. The second-year receiver later captioned an Instagram story with "free me."
Tomlin described coaching young players like Pickens as easy as "breathing" and noted that the ordeal had been blown out of proportion.
"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," Tomlin said, according to ESPN's Brooke Pryor. "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."
The Steelers relied on Pickens heavily through the opening stretch of the season. However, he's taken a backseat with the return of Diontae Johnson from IR. Pickens has caught just three passes for 21 yards over the last two games.
The 5-3 Steelers welcome Green Bay to Acrisure Stadium this Sunday.