Latest news with #Pickens'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Former Bengals WR: 'George Pickens was always late, Steelers had enough of it'
While the newest Cowboys WR George Pickens turned heads for all the wrong reasons a few days ago — it isn't anything new to Pittsburgh. Pickens' on- and off-field immaturity was a conversational topic throughout the 2024 season — and it ultimately led to his Steel City exit. Long-time Steelers rival and former Bengals WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh recently addressed on his podcast Up on Game, alongside co-hosts LaVar Arrington and Plaxico Burress — and it's safe to say he isn't a fan of the former disgruntled Steeler. Advertisement Pickens' antics — specifically his consistent tardiness — are what Houshmandzadeh believes pushed Steelers HC Mike Tomlin past his breaking point: "Mike Tomlin is a coach that his players that kind of told the line and may step over it. He gives them a little leeway, he lets them be them, and then after a while, he's like, 'I can't deal with it anymore.' George Pickens had stepped over and crossed the line a bit too many times. And I know people that play with the Steelers. He'd be late for the team plane that would be flying out to away games. Multiple times, he'd be late to get on the team bus. And they just — they had enough of it." Houshmandzadeh hit the nail right on the head. The former Bengals WR knows a thing or two about what disrespecting the Steelers looks like — after all, he may be best known in the Steel City for his less-than ideal treatment of the Terrible Towel. This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: T. J. Houshmandzadeh blasts George Pickens over attitude with Steelers
USA Today
28-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Steelers rookie minicamp standout WR receives George Pickens' No. 14 at OTAs
Steelers rookie minicamp standout WR receives George Pickens' No. 14 at OTAs Say hello to the Steelers newest #14... Montana Lemonious-Craig. — 93.7 The Fan (@937theFan) May 27, 2025 Out with the old, in with the new — it didn't take the Steelers long to replace George Pickens' No. 14 in Pittsburgh. It was reported that Arizona WR Montana Lemonious-Craig, who signed with the Steelers on Day 1 of OTAs, was spotted wearing Pickens' old number on Tuesday. Lemonious-Craig attended the Steelers rookie minicamp a few weeks ago and clearly made the right impression, as Pittsburgh wasted little time bringing him onto the 90-man roster. Pickens' time in No. 14 didn't just end with the Steelers, as the ex-Steelers WR was spotted wearing No. 13 a week ago at Cowboys OTAs. While the organization likely didn't mean anything by it, Lemonious-Craig taking Pickens' No. 14 speaks volumes about the former Steelers wideout making himself both expendable and replaceable with his constant on- and off-the-field antics. Will Lemonious-Craig exceed expectations at OTAs — and potentially training camp — to earn himself and his new No. 14 a spot on the Steelers' 53-man roster?
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'See Ya!' Fans Speculating Which Steelers Wanted Pickens Out
In so many ways, the Pittsburgh Steelers' 2024 season was similar to the years that preceded it – a rudderless offense falling short before the team could escape mediocrity. But the Steelers' latest campaign was defined by two storylines: the turn to quarterback Russell Wilson and away from Justin Fields, and the weekly antics of receiver George Pickens. For better or worse, Pittsburgh won't be dealing with Wilson or Fields in 2025 (although they'll be facing off against the latter in Week 1). The Steelers lost both to free agency in March; in May, they made the decision to jettison Pickens, too. Advertisement The receiver was dealt to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 Day 3 pick swap, setting back the offense in a play to find the next franchise quarterback. Pittsburgh making that trade helped ensure its place in the middle of the conference. In the weeks since, it seems that an offseason Pickens departure was rather inevitable. Steelers fans are saying the same thing about the latest Pickens rumor, that it wasn't just the coaching staff that had grown tired of his behavior, but his teammates, too. "There's a lot of guys in that defense—even the offense," Mark Kaboly said on 93.7 the Fan. "There were probably a couple guys that you would be shocked at, that I did hear after the fact. They were pretty much saying, 'See ya.' They didn't want anything to do with him." The receiver was never far from controversy throughout his Pittsburgh tenure. He had grown frustrated with his targets at different times and had a tendency to take himself out of games that saw him start slowly. His proclivity for unnecessary roughness penalties made him a target for opposing defensive backs, aiming to get in his head early and incite a flagrant foul. Advertisement Few will doubt Pickens' talent, but his tendency to become a detriment defined his time with the Steelers. After trading for Seattle Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf, the writing was on the wall. And without an extension, moving him and recouping strong value became a priority. We can't say for sure which Steelers (if any) vouched for his return or rooted for his departure. It's clear, however, that Pickens' behavior wasn't just a burden to his coaches and a storyline for fans. Related: One Position Defines Steelers Trading Pickens Related: Steelers Stalwart Reacts to Pickens Trade
USA Today
13-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Bengals WR: 'George Pickens was always late, Steelers had enough of it'
Former Bengals WR: 'George Pickens was always late, Steelers had enough of it' While the newest Cowboys WR George Pickens turned heads for all the wrong reasons a few days ago — it isn't anything new to Pittsburgh. Pickens' on- and off-field immaturity was a conversational topic throughout the 2024 season — and it ultimately led to his Steel City exit. Long-time Steelers rival and former Bengals WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh recently addressed on his podcast Up on Game, alongside co-hosts LaVar Arrington and Plaxico Burress — and it's safe to say he isn't a fan of the former disgruntled Steeler. Pickens' antics — specifically his consistent tardiness — are what Houshmandzadeh believes pushed Steelers HC Mike Tomlin past his breaking point: "Mike Tomlin is a coach that his players that kind of told the line and may step over it. He gives them a little leeway, he lets them be them, and then after a while, he's like, 'I can't deal with it anymore.' George Pickens had stepped over and crossed the line a bit too many times. And I know people that play with the Steelers. He'd be late for the team plane that would be flying out to away games. Multiple times, he'd be late to get on the team bus. And they just — they had enough of it." Houshmandzadeh hit the nail right on the head. The former Bengals WR knows a thing or two about what disrespecting the Steelers looks like — after all, he may be best known in the Steel City for his less-than ideal treatment of the Terrible Towel.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Cowboys Pickens Speaks Out On Hateful Post And Meets With Jerry
FRISCO - George Pickens' reputation as an overly-emotional bad apple is what makes - or made - a hateful IG post seem believable. But is it? Pickens was entering the final year of his rookie contract this offseason with the Pittsburgh Steelers after turning into one of the NFL's best deep-threat wide receivers. Last week, his career took a turn when he was acquired by the Dallas Cowboys in a trade that essentially sent a third-round draft pick to the Steelers. Advertisement Many believed Pittsburgh and head coach Mike Tomlin had grown tired of Pickens' immaturity and troublesome behavior, which could have led to his time with the Steelers being cut short. Now, in the wake of the move, Pickens seemingly called out his former team in an Instagram comment that has gone viral and stirred rumors about Pickens' true thoughts of his former team. The post above claims to have screenshotted the comment left by Pickens' personal Instagram account (@ that rips into the Steelers, calling them the "cheapest organization" in the NFL. Pickens, however, quickly denounced the post as a fabrication. Advertisement "Literally on a plane," Pickens wrote on Instagram in response to criticism he began receiving for the original post. "No service. Just landed and seen straight lies from Pitt fans. Stop with AI trying to make a story. I'm happy for everything the Steel City did for me. Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there.' These alleged comments from Pickens come just a few days after an introductory conference call the Cowboys hosted with Pickens and Dallas media members. ... and they come in combination with Jerry Jones' daughter Charlotte posting a photo of Pickens hanging out with the Jones family. So all is well? Advertisement In the call, Pickens was quoted sounding excited to be a part of a "winning culture" with the Cowboys, but refrained from saying any bad things about his former team or the factors that lead to his trade. Pickens did mention that the NFL is a "business", which acknowledges the harsh reality that players aren't always as secure as they might imagine. The rest of that conference call led many to believe that Pickens had taken a humble and mature approach to his situation. Hopefully his explanation is truthful ... which would back up that hope. Related: Cowboys Lamb Shares 1-Word Message on Pickens Trade Want more Cowboys? Come inside the Fish Report!
