George Pickens (Photo via NBC)
NFL fans had plenty to say after the NBC “Sunday Night Football” cameras caught a perfectly blunt message on the eye black worn by Pittsburgh Steelers star wide receiver George Pickens.
The 23-year-old George Pickens entered tonight’s prime-time game against the Dallas Cowboys with 20 receptions for 284 yards. And though he’s getting far more targets than any other Steeler (29, Pat Freiermuth is second with 20), Pickens made it clear that he’s still unhappy with his workload in the offense.
NBC cameras showed Pickens’ eye black close-up, which reads, “Open f**king always.”
#Steelers WR George Pickens making a statement with his eye black. pic.twitter.com/79nxITnRSM
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 7, 2024
And as you would expect, social media had a lot to say about George Pickens’ message to his team on Sunday night:
Playing with Justin Fields will do that to ya 😭
— Aidan LaPorta (@AidanLaPorta69) October 7, 2024
Bro thinks he’s Ryan Williams
— jay (@itsJYVN) October 7, 2024
The statement in question: "I am selfish"
— KarterKast (@KarterKast) October 7, 2024
“Open fucking always”
George Pickens’s eye black looks like the sign in front of IHop pic.twitter.com/41MBNOBLpz
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) October 7, 2024
For a guy that’s always f**king open the Steelers don’t throw the ball to George Pickens nearly enough.
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) October 7, 2024
Something tells me George Pickens is always open 😂 pic.twitter.com/dRm1Jo3qa1
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) October 7, 2024
Pickens is coming off a career year in which he caught 63 receptions for 1,140 yards and five touchdowns. The Diontae Johnson trade with Carolina seemingly opened the door for Pickens to get even more targets in year three, but the inconsistent play of QB Justin Fields hasn’t helped matters for the 2022 second-round pick.
George Pickens Needs More Help, Not More Targets
Pickens is the only Steelers pass-catcher who can take over games at any moment. This rush-heavy offense is getting by against weaker opponents, but Steelers GM Omar Khan would be wise to add another playmaking WR to help Pickens before the Nov. 5 trade deadline.
