Steelers’ Mike Tomlin: George Pickens Has to ‘Grow Up’ After Penalties vs. Bengals

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin wasn’t pleased with wide receiver George Pickens getting penalized multiple times on Sunday.

“He’s just got to grow up, man,” Tomlin said after the Steelers’ 44-38 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, per ESPN’s Brooke Pryor. “This emotional game, man, these divisional games are big. He got a target on his back because he’s George, he understands that, but he’s got to grow up. He’s got to grow up in a hurry.”

Pickens was flagged for taunting in the first half and picked up another unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for a first-down celebration in the third quarter.

He appeared to draw the second flag by pointing a finger gun at the crowd after moving the chains, explaining that he was signaling for a first down following the game.

“Yeah, they said they got the gesture wrong, you know what I mean? Thought it was something else,” Pickens said, via Josh Carney of Steelers Depot. “You can’t hurt the team. I never intend to hurt the team, but he thought the gesture was different.”

“I was doing first down,” he added.

Pickens has worn his emotions on his sleeve throughout his first three years in the NFL, something that Bengals slot cornerback Mike Hilton admitted Cincinnati was attempting to feed into.

“Everybody sees it on film,” Hilton said, per ESPN’s Kimberley A. Martin. “If he’s not getting the ball or DBs are being physical with him, he gets in his own head.”

Since the start of the 2023 season, Pickens has incurred six fines totaling $70,785 (via Spotrac). He also may face another for his actions against the Bengals.

The former second-round pick has still operated as a crucial part of Pittsburgh’s offense, catching 55 passes for 850 yards and three touchdowns on the season as a whole. He recorded 74 yards and a score in Cincinnati on Sunday.

Pickens showcased his talent once again as the Steelers improved to 9-3, but Tomlin called out his maturity after the win.