The Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6) have clinched a spot in the playoffs and can earn their highest regular season win total since the 2020-21 NFL campaign. Their top priority is plunging a fatal dagger into the Cincinnati Bengals (8-8) and solidifying themselves as the No. 5 seed in the AFC. Though the public’s attention might be drifting elsewhere following Thursday’s interaction between George Pickens and a member of the media.
Strangely, the divisive wide receiver did not appear to take a route on a play in which quarterback Russell Wilson finally threw an interception intended for Pat Freiermuth in the Steelers’ 29-10 Christmas Day defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs. According to Pittsburgh Steelers’ Noah Strackbein on SI, Wilson subsequently stated that he believed Pickens would go vertically, although he did take responsibility for the end-zone pick.
Although the former Super Bowl champion owned up to his mistake, it is obvious that he was not in sync with Pickens in this particular instance. One reporter decided to ask the third-year wideout about the supposed miscommunication, but the question was met with silence and apparent irritation.
“It seemed like you and Russ weren’t on the same page in that interception against the Chiefs,” Alan Saunders of Steelers Now inquired, per his X account. “How does that happen? What do you guys do to address it?” The locker room’s temperature quickly turned icy.
“You said me and Russell aren’t on the same page?” Pickens asked. “Yeah, well, that’s what he said,” Saunders replied. “That’s what he said, or is that what you said?” the 2021 national champion responded. “That’s what he said; how do you just address that?” Saunders asked again. Pickens ignored him and then promptly ended the media session.
