Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has weighed in on the puzzling usage of wide receiver George Pickens during the team’s Sunday Night Football loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
The future Hall of Famer used his podcast, Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger to voice his concerns for his favorite team. The Steelers have been plagued by offensive struggles for consecutive seasons, and despite significant changes made in the offseason, including the hiring of offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, the offense has yet to find its rhythm.
Roethlisberger’s comments highlight a key concern about how the team utilizes one of its most talented playmakers - George Pickens.
Pickens, a bright spot for the Steelers since being drafted in 2022, was noticeably limited in his snaps during the primetime matchup. Roethlisberger shared his perspective on why this might be the case, pointing to comments made by head coach Mike Tomlin after the game.
“Coach said after the game that they were trying to, for lack of better words, conserve his legs, conserve his energy,” Roethlisberger explained on his podcast. “Maybe less plays would get more production during those plays? Again, I’m just sitting here.”
Roethlisberger, known for his frankness, expressed his concerns over Pickens’ reduced role, particularly in such a crucial game.
“You have guys like Cam Heyward who’s thirty billion years old that is out there for 80 to 90 percent of the plays,” Roethlisberger joked. “If [Pickens] is your best player, why is he not out there?” Roethlisberger’s sentiment echoes what many Steelers fans have been feeling—if Pickens is one of the team’s top offensive weapons, why isn’t he on the field more often?
The Steelers, as a franchise, are known for their no-nonsense approach, and some speculate that Pickens’ limited snaps are due to his on-field frustrations. Pickens is known for his fiery demeanor and has been vocal when things aren’t going well. Roethlisberger and others have hinted that this could be a reason for his minute restriction, possibly as a form of discipline from the coaching staff.
However, the Steelers cannot afford to let internal issues or distractions derail their season. The team is already facing offensive inconsistencies, and sidelining one of their key playmakers won’t help matters. If Pittsburgh wants to salvage their season and push for the playoffs, they must address their offensive scheme and any issues surrounding Pickens.
The Steelers’ season hangs in the balance, and fixing their offensive struggles, including how they utilize George Pickens, needs to be a priority before it’s too late.
