Pittsburg, PA
Drama Brewing Between Pittsburgh Steelers, George Pickens?
PITTSBURGH — Is there trouble brewing in paradise? The Pittsburgh Steelers started the season with a new outlook on offense, and a new WR1 leading the way in George Pickens. But just give games in, things might be starting to boil over between the team and their star wideout.
In what is becoming a trend, Pickens was out-snapped by Van Jefferson, and against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 5, he was out-snapped by both Jefferson and Calvin Austin.
Even during crucial parts of the game, the Steelers don’t seem to have Pickens in the game plan. The star wide receiver was on the sideline for most of the team’s final touchdown drive, which included a critical second down catch by Brandon Johnson, who was called up from the practice squad for the game. Pickens was on the sideline during the play.
According to head coach Mike Tomlin, Pickens is on a management situation, with the team looking to keep his snap count lower to protect him deeper into the season. In just his third NFL season, the team is trying to say they’re keeping a 23-year-old from getting too beat up during the course of a season.
“No underlying story,” Tomlin said. Take that to heart if you will.
Then, there’s Pickens’s side of things. The wideout spent a large chunk of the second half sitting by himself on the sideline. For one drive, he sat alone, with no one coming over to him, for an entire eight-minute and 32-second drive.
And the on field antics have started.
George Pickens should be suspended a game for this.
It’s absolutely unnecessary. pic.twitter.com/eog1VTqGaP
— Ben Slotnick🎗️ (@SlotnickBen) October 7, 2024
Who knows if the losing is just building up and Pickens is having a tough time with it. But this seems to be a trend that continues year after year. At some point during the season, the wideout doesn’t like how the offense is flowing, and he lashes out. Last year, it happened multiple times, including sideline altercations and social media interactions.
This year, maybe it’s starting early. Why? Who knows. Pickens is coming off a 100-yard game in Indianapolis, that would’ve included a touchdown and more if he didn’t drop an easy catch and fumble the ball. This week, he yet again let an easy pass slip through his hands.
It’s a mystery what’s going on where we sit currently. The Steelers are 3-2 and looking at the wrong end of a losing streak. In the midst of it, there are worries growing about their wide receiver.
Those worries can go away with a solid performance in Week 6 and no distractions from Pickens. But history tells us this could turn into something bigger. Tensions may be boiling over between the Steelers and their new WR1.
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One of Pittsburgh’s biggest goals before hosting the NFL Draft was to modernize Market Square. It is just one of the spaces in the downtown area that is being transformed for the massive event.
Web Editor : Sydney Ross
Posted
2026 NFL Draft Pittsburgh regional transportation plan unveiled
With the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh quickly approaching, city officials and Pittsburgh Regional Transit unveiled its regional transportion plan.
Extensive road closures will be in place around Point State Park and Acrisure Stadium from April 22-25 as the 2026 NFL Draft brings three days of excitement and football fans into the city of Pittsburgh.
During NFL Draft events, the city’s Downtown and North Shore areas will convert to a walkable “Draft Campus,” with motorized traffic limited to Pittsburgh Regional Transit vehicles, the city’s light rail system (the “T”) and other official providers.
Therefore, many streets into and around the “Draft Campus” are closed to vehicle traffic starting April 22. Traffic patterns will be adjusted to allow Pirates fans to access PNC Park for baseball games held during the road closures, according to NFLDraftPittsburgh.com.
In addition to these streets, the Interstate 279 and Interstate 579 High Occupancy Vehicle lanes into the city are closed to vehicle traffic all week; only authorized bus traffic and emergency vehicles will be permitted to use those lanes.
People planning to use the Beaver County Transit Authority bus to reach downtown Pittsburgh for the NFL Draft events can find more information about the authority’s bus service plans on the BCTA website.
Here is the list of road closures in place from April 22-25, according to NFLDraftPittsburgh.com, which has a complete guide to getting into and around the city during NFL Draft events.
- Art Rooney Avenue
- West General Robinson Street to Tony Dorsett Drive
- Scotland Avenue
- Casino Drive, from Sproat Way
- North Shore Drive, from Chuck Noll Way
- Reedsdale Street to Tony Dorsett Drive
- Chuck Noll Way
- Tony Dorsett Drive
- Sproat Way
- Allegheny Avenue from Ridge Avenue
- North Shore Drive, from Chuck Noll Way to Mazeroski Way
- Mazeroski Way
- West General Robinson Street
- Lacock Street, from Federal Street
- Federal Street, from Lacock Street
- Merchant Street
- I-279 southbound exit 1B ramp
- I-279 northbound exit 1B ramp
- Route 65 southbound ramp to Fort Duquesne
- Route 65 northbound ramp from Fort Duquesne Bridge
- T1 ramp from Reedsdale Street and Ridge Avenue
- Sixth Street Bridge, aka the Roberto Clemente Bridge
- Seventh Street Bridge, aka the Andy Warhol Bridge
- Isabella Street
- Sixth Street
- Fort Pitt on ramp, from 10th Street Bypass and Fort Duquesne Boulevard
- Commonwealth Place
- Liberty Avenue extension
- Penn Avenue, from Stanwix Street to 9th Street
- Liberty Avenue/PPG Paints Arena exit off the Fort Pitt Bridge
- Smithfield Street Bridge
Pennsylvania’s 511PA.com online transportation website will feature a special NFL webpage providing real-time traffic information in and around the city during the NFL Draft.
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