Pittsburgh Steelers receiver George Pickens was going through it in a tough 21-18 loss to the Patriots on Thursday night.
The 22-year-old wideout was seen looking absolutely miserable on the bench and lackluster on the field as he let his frustrations get the best of him at Acrisure Stadium, where Pittsburgh’s playoff hopes took a severe hit.
At one point, Kirk Herbstreit, who was on the call with Al Michaels on Prime Video, said it was a “bad look” when Pickens appeared to give no effort on a run.
“He’s kind of taking the play off,” Herbstreit said. “I think it sends a message to me, to your team. I look at receivers when it comes to their willingness to block and the effort that they’re willing to put forth.
“It kind of represents the pulse of the team. Bad look.”
Pickens was only targeted twice in the first half, with one ending in an interception.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin appeared to have “some choice words for Pickens” on the sidelines, according to Michaels.
“Yeah he’s just communicating how important it is for him to show some maturity and just kind of keep fighting,” Herbstreit said.
Herbstreit added that Pickens’ frustration was evident when he was seen with his head down in the end zone after a botched play.
Cameras also captured Pickens in what appeared to be a heated exchange with his teammates on the bench.
It’s unclear what exactly he was saying, but appeared animated while flailing his arms in the air.
Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson addressed Pickens’ frustrations after the game.
“He’s probably frustrated. My job is just to continue to tell him to keep his head in the game,” he said. “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.”
Johnson was recently criticized himself for lackadaisical play on a fumble during the Steelers’ win over the Bengals on Nov. 26.
Pickens finished with five catches for 19 yards.
The Steelers lost their second straight game in five days — following a 24-10 loss to the hapless Cardinals on Dec. 3 — which knocks them out of the top spot in the AFC wild-card race.
The Steelers visit the Indianapolis Colts, a fellow AFC wild-card contender, on Dec. 16.
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