Steelers OC Coaching George Pickens Through Frustrations

The Pittsburgh Steelers are trying to work with their star wideout as he manages a difficult season.
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PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens has shown clear signs of frustration at different points during this difficult season and it's gotten to the point that even head coach Mike Tomlin has started to call for more maturity from his young star wideout. 

At the beginning of Week 15, with the Steelers facing a pivotal matchup with the Indianapolis Colts, offensive coordinator Eddie Faulkner acknowledged that Pickens has been frustrated, but said it's a good thing that he's upset to not be contributing more. 

“I think what gets lost in the sauce a lot of times as far as that’s concerned is that these guys are competitors, they want to win and it’s coming from a good place when they show their frustration," Faulkner said. "So we work with them through that, it’s just simple as that. We’re still dealing with young men and we’re developing them on how to deal with certain issues, so that’s kind of the approach we’re taking.”

Faulkner added that he and the coaching staff have been working directly with Pickens to help him channel the frustrations over the state of the offense and his personal production into more positive developments. It's a part of personal development that the coaching staff is responsible for in addition to the product on the field and Faulkner said Pickens has been receptive to some of the coaching he's gotten on that subject. 

Faulkner also said there's plenty of work the coaching staff can do to address what's happening on the field. They know what kind of weapon they have in Pickens and are constantly looking for ways to get him the kind of touches that will aleviate those frustrations. 

“We definitely need to [get him the ball] and again, that’s something we’re always thinking about trying to scheme and get done and then we got to throw the ball to him," Faulkner said. "So we’re going to continue to never tire on trying to get GP the ball. We know what kind of talent he is.”

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Stephen Thompson
STEPHEN THOMPSON

Stephen Thompson graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications and political science from Pitt in April 2022 after spending four years as a sports writer and editor at The Pitt News, the University of Pittsburgh's independent, student-run newspaper. He primarily worked the Pitt men's basketball beat, and filled in on coverage of football, volleyball, softball, gymnastics and lacrosse, in addition to other sports as needed. His work at The Pitt News has won awards from the Pennsylvania News Media Association and Associated College Press. During the spring and summer of 2021, Stephen interned for Pittsburgh Sports Now, covering baseball in western Pennsylvania. Hailing from Washington D.C., family ties have cultivated a love of Boston's professional teams and Pitt athletics, and a fascination with sports in general.