Drama between Pittsburgh Steelers and George Pickens?

PITTSBURGH – Is there trouble brewing in paradise? The Pittsburgh Steelers started the season with a new look at the offense, and a new WR1 led the way in George Pickens. But pass on the games, things could boil over between the team and their star.

In what is becoming a trend, Pickens was defeated by Van Jefferson, and against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 5, he was defeated 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, including a crucial second down catch from Brandon Johnson, who was called up from the practice squad before the game. Pickens was on the sideline during the game.

According to head coach Mike Tomlin, Pickens is in a management situation where the team wants to keep his snap count lower to protect him deeper into the season. In his third NFL season, the team is trying to say they’re preventing a 23-year-old from getting too beat up over the course of a season.

“No underlying story,” Tomlin said. Take that to heart if you will.

Then there’s Pickens’ side. The wideout spent much of the second half alone on the sideline. For one ride, he sat alone, with no one approaching him, for a ride that lasted eight minutes and 32 seconds.

And the antics on the field have begun.

Who knows if the loss just builds up and Pickens struggles. 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 going and lashes out. It happened several times last year, including fights on the sidelines and interactions on social media.

This year it might start early. Why? Who knows. Pickens is coming off a 100-yard game in Indianapolis that would have included a touchdown and more if he didn’t drop an easy catch and fumble the ball. This week he again let an easy pass slip through his hands.

It’s a mystery what’s going on where we currently sit. The Steelers are 3-2 and looking at the wrong end of a losing streak. In the midst of that, concerns are growing about their wide receiver.

Those concerns could go away with a solid performance in Week 6 and no distractions from Pickens. But history shows us that this can grow into something bigger. Tensions between the Steelers and their new WR1 could boil over.

Be sure to bookmark Steelers On SI to get all your daily Pittsburgh Steelers news, interviews, breakdowns and more!