Tag: Drama

If Steelers acquire Cooper Kupp, George Pickens must go in 2025

If the Pittsburgh Steelers trade for Cooper Kupp, they may need to move on from George Pickens in 2025 due to growing character concerns.

If the Pittsburgh Steelers are able to pull off a trade for Rams WR Cooper Kupp, the Steel City should seriously consider trading away WR George Pickens.

Pickens’ attitude and maturity were consistently in the headlines for the wrong reasons throughout the 2024 season. From hiding in an equipment room to avoid media responsibilities to displaying profane messages on his mouthguard, as well as being late to an important Week 17 matchup against the Chiefs—and much more—Pickens’ negatives far outweigh his positives.

Kupp is the literal antithesis of Pickens—humble, hard-working, and a great teammate—while Pickens can be described as braggadocious, lacking punctuality, and putting his emotions over the team’s desire to win.

Pickens’ contract will expire at the end of the 2025 season, and if the Pittsburgh Steelers are hesitant to re-sign him due to character concerns, trading him seems like a no-brainer.

However, with Calvin Austin III being the next man up in the receiver room, it’s no wonder Pickens still remains in Pittsburgh. But acquiring Kupp could jumpstart the trade process, helping the Steelers avoid another Diontae Johnson mistake.

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Steelers QB Russell Wilson shuts down OC Arthur Smith conflict rumors

Russell Wilson dismissed the Arthur Smith-conflict rumors, making it clear where he stands on their working relationship with the Steelers.

Pittsburgh Steelers fans were in for a treat on Wednesday, as Pat McAfee brought Russell Wilson onto his show to answer questions about his career so far, the 2024 season, and his aspirations for 2025 and beyond.

However, the hard-hitting questions came after McAfee asked Wilson to shed light on a rumored ‘beef’ with OC Arthur Smith that has been making waves online.

Longtime Pittsburgh Steelers writer Mark Kaboly had reported on the strained working relationship between Wilson and Smith, and McAfee made his inquiries known early:

“You like Arthur? Hey, there are reports that you hate him.”

Wilson cleared the air, chuckling:

“Anytime you lose a game or two, or whatever goes on, people try to tear things down. I think Arthur is a great coach. Obviously, he’s been a head coach. We love trying to find ways to compete every day and just get better.”

 

The “game or two” in question is a complete undersell from Wilson, as the Steelers lost five straight to end the 2024 season, but it is promising that the rumors surrounding Smith and Wilson’s relationship were nothing more than that.

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Mike Tomlin deserves more credit for managing Diontae Johnson drama

Ex-Steelers WR Diontae Johnson’s drama highlights why Mike Tomlin deserves more credit for keeping the Steelers locker room under control.

The grass is always greener on the other side of Steel City, and without a doubt, former Steelers WR Diontae Johnson found this out the hard way in 2024—but is the receiver’s recent drama an eye-opener for critics of Steelers HC Mike Tomlin?

Tomlin may have his issues with time management and his loyalty to a subpar coaching staff, but his leadership of the Steelers locker room has never been more evident than with his handling of receiver drama over the years—and the recently waived Johnson proves it.

Johnson lasted seven games with the Carolina Panthers, four games with the Baltimore Ravens, and two games with the Houston Texans—while spending 77 games with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Johnson isn’t the first dramatic wide receiver to prove Tomlin’s ability to command respect and order in a locker room, as former receivers Antonio Brown and Chase Claypool both imploded after they left Coach T’s watchful eye.

Steelers WR George Pickens may have suffered a similar fate if he attempted his antics with another roster, which begs the question: should fans appreciate Tomlin’s ability to get production out of his diva-esque receivers and keep a tight lid on their boiling point?

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Is George Pickens’ bold criticism of Steelers offense his exit ticket?

George Pickens’ criticism of the Steelers offense raises questions about his future in Pittsburgh after a tumultuous season.

Heading into the 2024 season, George Pickens was a Pittsburgh Steeler many fans hoped the team would build the offense around for the foreseeable future.

However, after a rocky relationship between the Steel City and Pickens became evident during the regular season—thanks to the receiver’s immature antics—it’s no secret that many are ready for the Steelers and Pickens to part ways.

Following the Wild-Card playoff loss to the Baltimore Ravens, reporters asked Pickens if he was optimistic about the offense moving forward.

Pickens had previously alluded to seeing growth from the year he was drafted in 2022 to now but ultimately expressed doubt about the Steelers’ offense, answering the question by stating, “Uhh, nah.”

Pickens has proven time and time again that his disdain for reporters—and the Steelers—continues to slip through the cracks that head coach Mike Tomlin repeatedly attempts to patch up. However, now is the time to pull the plug on the Pickens experiment.

It is understandable to be frustrated after the way this season ended, but failing to show any support for his offensive teammates leaves much to be desired in terms of his character.

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George Pickens clashes with Steelers fans in frustrating Week 18 loss

George Pickens fires back at Steelers fans with trash talk after Week 18 loss, adding fuel to an already tense playoff atmosphere.

George Pickens appears to be one of the most disliked and disgruntled Steelers players in Pittsburgh right now, and it isn’t just for his poor Week 18 performance.

Fans of the Black and Gold are among the most outspoken and passionate in the NFL, and Pickens seems to have taken exception to their anger following the team’s Week 18 loss.

In what can only be described as the perfect storm—Steelers fans’ passion colliding with Pickens’ immaturity—viewers of the Week 18 AFC North contest between Pittsburgh and Cincinnati witnessed the Steelers receiver engaging in a heated exchange with fans in attendance.

While it may have seemed innocent enough at first glance, nothing involving Pickens ever is. The last thing the Pittsburgh Steelers need after their disappointing Week 18 loss is further distractions heading into the playoffs.

Pickens has shown inconsistency and immaturity in his decisions throughout this season, leaving his future with the Pittsburgh Steelers uncertain as the team approaches 2025.

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Fans react to Diontae Johnson’s recent drama in Baltimore

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Former Steelers WR Diontae Johnson is seemingly back to stirring up drama in Baltimore.

Well, Baltimore, Pittsburgh tried to warn you. It has seemingly taken former Steelers receiver Diontae Johnson only two weeks with his new team to find himself embroiled in drama once again.

While Steelers fans laughed off the trade that sent Johnson from Carolina to the Ravens, no one could have predicted his impact would be minimal to nonexistent.

Johnson has played only 22 total snaps in his first two weeks with the Ravens, seeing just two targets and one reception for six yards during that time.

The former Steelers wide receiver proved exactly why Pittsburgh dealt him to Carolina in the first place, as Johnson took his frustrations—and immaturity—to social media following the Ravens’ Week 10 victory.

Johnson has since deleted the tweet, foreshadowing a potential implosion within the Ravens’ organization just waiting to happen. Here are some of the best fan reactions to Diontae Johnson’s Week 10 meltdown.

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Derek Carr responds to Michael Thomas: ‘I probably didn’t throw the best ball’

Derek Carr says he understands why Michael Thomas became so frustrated last season, taking accountability for throwing a poor pass on the receiver’s season-ending injury:

Michael Thomas raised an uproar on social media this week when he publicly criticized the New Orleans Saints — taking aim at the play calling, coaching decisions, and quarterback Derek Carr, all of which he blamed for his poor production in 2023. It’s likely going to be his last year in black and gold.

To his credit, Carr didn’t disagree with Thomas’ assessment. He responded to the criticism during an appearance on the Two Gs in a Pod show with James Jones and Amber Theoharis. Carr took some accountability for the play that resulted in a season-ending injury to Thomas, which the receiver described as being “set up by a bad ball.”

“I probably didn’t throw the best ball. If that’s how he wants to view it and how he wants to see it, completely fine by me,” Carr said. Carr placed the ball too high and too far behind his target, requiring Thomas to awkwardly contort in midair to try and make a play. His legs tangled up with those of the defender covering him, which led to Thomas’ left leg initially catching in the turf before whipping around painfully, injuring his knee. A lower pass leading Thomas in stride could have lessened the risk of injury.

Thomas also pointed out that the Saints weren’t making an effort to get him the ball last season, which Carr validated. Their younger second-year wideout Chris Olave was the focal point of the offense, not Thomas.

Carr continued: “I also understand that when I came in the building we had Chris Olave, who they were trying to train to be the number-one guy. So all of a sudden, every rep and every read in practice is Chris first. And as a superstar that Mike is and as he has been, I can understand you’re dealing with all the injury noise, you’re dealing with Chris becoming the guy — and he loves Chris, that’s his guy at Ohio State and all that — but I can understand where the frustration starts to build. I understand where all those things begin to take place.”

No position is more dependent factors outside their control than wide receiver. They can’t draw up the plays to have the ball go their way, and they can’t throw it to themselves. If a receiver is stuck playing with a bad quarterback or play caller their numbers are going to suffer for it. It’s why the position generates so many big personalities. Like it or not, it’s an approach a lot of receivers take. As Brandin Cooks expressed back in 2016, “Closed mouths don’t get fed.”

Still, Carr adds, he wishes Thomas had reached out privately to hash out these frustrations rather than aired them online. If this it for them as teammates, Carr said he wishes Thomas all the best: “I hope Mike finds what he’s looking for. I hope he gets everything he wants, in life, because I do love Mike. But in that moment I didn’t really like it. Just call me bro.”

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Texans WR Chris Moore says Brandin Cooks is a ‘great player, great leader’

Moore went out of his way to be complimentary of Cooks, who missed the Texans’ Week 9 matchup against the Eagles after being denied a trade

Brandin Cooks may have missed the Houston Texans’ Week 9 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles for “personal” reasons, but that hasn’t shaken his teammates’ belief in his ability to serve as an effective leader for the team’s group of receivers moving forward. Though fans may have been disappointed that Cooks took the Texans’ inability to honor his (reported) wishes of a trade at the deadline to heart, wideout Chris Moore seems confident as ever in the star receiver’s ability to remain a rock for Houston’s offense, both on and off the field.

Moore spoke to reporters on Tuesday after practice, and made it clear that he and the rest of the Texans’ pass catchers still look to Cooks as an inspiring leader, despite the drama that has played out in the last week. Cooks has been back with the team since missing the game against Philadelphia, and to hear Moore tell it, is still in good standing with the offensive crew.

“He’s our leader in our receiver room,” He explained. “It’s very important. We love him. He’s a great player, he’s a great leader, he’s a great man. When all that stuff happened, we all know or at least most of us because we’ve all been here (in the NFL) a while, that’s just part of the business. You never know really what’s going to happen and either way we’re happy to have him back and see him in the building.”

The circumstances surrounding the comments may be less than ideal, but at least it doesn’t seem that Cooks’ situation has in any way tainted the cohesion of the offense at large. In fact, his response to the (perceived) adversity of being denied a trade may prove to have sparked a call to action for Lovie Smith and his coaching staff as they seek to use Cooks’ talent to the greatest possible extent while he remains on the roster.