Mike Tomlin sends clear message to George Pickens after win

Mike Tomlin needs George Pickens to grow up in a hurry.

It would be easy to dismiss the latest antics of Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens because the Steelers beat the Cincinnati Bengals. But that isn’t an option for head coach Mike Tomlin. He needs his best receiver to be better and on Sunday he wasn’t.

Pickens got flagged for two separate personal fouls, both of which were just a product of immaturity and 100 percent avoidable. Pickens was flagged for taunting after a catch and then later in the game got another when he did a finger-gun celebration after a catch.

After the game at his post-game press conference, Tomlin actually addressed the issues and was surprisingly candid about Pickens lack of maturity.

“You know he just has to grow up man,” Tomlin said  “He’s got a target on his back because he’s George, but he has to grow up. He has to grow up in a hurry.”

Pickens led the team with 74 receiving yards and is obviously the team’s best receiving threat. But he is putting Tomlin in a brutal position if he can’t control himself on the field down the stretch.

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