In a stunning turn of events, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ star wide receiver found himself benched during a recent matchup against the Cowboys. Pickens, usually a fixture on the field, was only on for a paltry 34 snaps, with other receivers like Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin seeing significantly more playing time.
But what really caught the attention of fans and analysts alike was Pickens’ lackluster effort during the game. Witnessed jogging and half-running routes when he wasn’t the target, it was clear something was amiss. Head coach Mike Tomlin, in a postgame interview, cited “snap management” as the reason for Pickens’ reduced playing time. However, he didn’t shy away from mentioning Pickens’ lack of effort when pressed by Chris Carter of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Sources even revealed to the Post-Gazette that Pickens had been repeatedly late to team activities throughout the season. A concerning pattern that mirrored the behavior of the infamous Antonio Brown, who, despite his off-field antics, never saw a decrease in his snap counts during his time with the Steelers. It was noted that Brown always gave his all when he stepped onto the field, a quality Pickens seemed to be lacking in recent games.
As speculation and rumors swirl around Pickens’ future with the team, fans can only hope for a swift resolution to these issues. With a crucial matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders looming, Pickens will have the perfect opportunity to silence critics and make a statement on the field. Can he replicate his standout performance from last season against the Bengals? Only time will tell. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
