Mike Tomlin's response to Georges Pickens demanding 'The F-king Ball' During Sideline Rant is PERFECT
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens was not pleased with his number of targets against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 13.
Early in the fourth quarter of Pittsburgh's 19-16 win on Sunday, Pickens was seen yelling at the coaches as he walked to the sidelines, calling for more touches.
On Tuesday, head coach Mike Tomlin brushed aside the outburst.
"I'd rather say 'Whoa' than 'Sic 'em,'" Tomlin said. "I want a guy that wants to be a significant part of what it is that we do. Now, the appropriate and professional and mature way to express that, we're growing and working on, and we will continue to. But that spirit, that competitive spirit, the guy that wants the ball. No, I want that guy."
Pickens, who was drafted in the second round of the 2022 draft, is having a very solid rookie campaign, hauling in 37 passes for 512 yards and two touchdowns.
He is looking to be a big part in the Steelers' offensive rebuild alongside QB Kenny Pickett.
"I would imagine that T.J. [Watt] wants to lay the quarterback down more. We've got competitors. This is professional football," Tomlin continued. "These guys know that they have to deliver. So, for a guy that wants to do that, I'm not going to make that a negative, no matter how silly I think the commentary is or people talking about him expressing frustrations and stuff and trying to make it a negative storyline.
