Steelers' Mike Tomlin Calls George Pickens' In-Game Frustrations 'A Problem' | News, Scores, Highlig

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George Pickens was visibly frustrated on both the sidelines and the playing field during Thursday's 21-18 loss to the England Patriots, to the point that Prime Video analyst Kirk Herbstreit called it a "bad look" on the broadcast when the Pittsburgh Steelers wideout didn't make much of an effort on a run play.

And head coach Mike Tomlin isn't happy about it.

"It is a problem because it's not solution-oriented," he told reporters regarding Pickens' actions Monday. "We're all frustrated, but we got to manage our frustrations in a professional, mature way and when it's not done that way, it's not necessarily pushing us toward solutions."

Fellow wideout Diontae Johnson also spoke about Pickens' attitude after the game.

"He's probably frustrated. My job is just to continue to tell him to keep his head in the game," he told reporters. "You never know when your opportunity is going to come and you can't let one bad play define you. So I'm always there for him, trying to keep his head in the game and keep his energy up, at the same time we need him. If your energy is down and the ball comes your way, you may not to be able to make a play. But he'll be fine."

Pickens, 22, was targeted six times in the loss, recording five catches for 19 yards. The Patriots held the Steelers to just 182 yards through the air, as Mitchell Trubisky—who got the start for the injured Kenny Pickett—threw a touchdown, interception and took two sacks.

Pickens leads the team in receptions (49) and receiving yards (767) and is tied for first in touchdown catches (three) with Johnson this season. But he hasn't posted a 100-yard game or receiving touchdown since late October, perhaps a reason for his frustrations bubbling to the surface.

But that angst has become a consistent theme.

Jason Cole @JasonCole62

Steelers WR George Pickens has some of the worst body language of any player I have ever seen. Even when he catches the ball, he walks back at the pace of a 75-year-old man.

In early November, running back Najee Harris was seen during a win over the Tennessee Titans talking with Pickens throughout the game and calming him down. The wideout only had two receptions for minus-one yards.

"I was telling GP, it's OK, there's nothing wrong with being frustrated, it's just how you handle things," Harris told reporters at the time. "Obviously, he's a talented guy. Teams are going to do things to minimize him. But I was just telling him in the middle of the game too that you got to keep your composure."

Pickens is young and talented, which buys him some leeway, and receivers in general have a reputation for being high maintenance at times. But his demeanor is becoming an issue for a Steelers team (7-6) that is fighting for its postseason life and can't afford distractions.

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