George Pickens had a night to forget. In the regular season finale, the Bengals inched ahead of the Steelers, defeating them 19-17. Though it was a close call, fans aren’t holding back in pointing out the Steel City.

The Steelers wide receiver, fresh off an NFL fine, dropped three crucial passes in a tough 19-7 loss to the Bengals. Steelers fans have seen flashes of brilliance from Pickens before. But this performance has reignited concerns about his consistency. NFL analyst Warren Sharp has put out a sharp critique of Pickens’s game by simply pointing out the stats. “George Pickens tonight: 5 targets 1 catch 0 yards 3 drops 1 attempt to get fans to come fight him,” Sharp wrote on X, sharing a video collage of the WR struggling throughout the game.

Truth be told, the visuals and the numbers were enough to paint the bleak picture. However, the game had big stakes for Pittsburgh, with playoff seeding on the line.

Pickens was targeted multiple times, and that included a deep ball in the third quarter that could’ve shifted momentum. But he simply couldn’t hang on. By the fourth quarter, frustration boiled over as Pickens struggled to deliver. Moreover, the Bengals’ defense was on their toes, capitalizing on the missed opportunities. And Pickens’ sideline demeanor didn’t help.

Cameras caught him visibly upset, mirroring fans’ growing discontent on social media. It wasn’t just the dropped passes. It was the timing and pressure of the situation. And, of course, the conduct that followed. On top of this, Pickens got fined $10,231 for removing his helmet in the week 17 game.

That incident already had fans questioning his focus. Now, with his on-field struggles, things have gotten worse. As the Steelers faithful yearn for postseason success, patience is running thin. Dropped passes and fines won’t cut it when the playoffs loom.

Fans sound off on social media

Steelers fans took to social media in droves to vent their frustrations. Memes, GIFs, and heated comments dominated the conversation, calling out Pickens’ lack of composure and reliability. “How the f— do Jaylen Warren or George Pickens have ZERO F—-G YARDS,” one user posted.

One tweet read, “George Pickens another whiny f— who has checked out. Pathetic effort.” One fan posted a meme of someone rubbing their hands, captioned, “Alan Saunders watching George Pickens drop 3 passes tonight.” Another shared an edited video of NBA star LeBron James scoring basketball points, with the caption, “George Pickens when it comes to being an ultra-talented low effort player.”

The frustration continued with one fan sarcastically posting, “Looking forward to George Pickens providing a thoughtful, eloquent, and well-reasoned explanation for the drops tonight.” Paired with a GIF of Jimmy Fallon’s face transitioning from happy to somber. The dropped passes didn’t solely cause the backlash, either. Additionally, Pickens’s fine for unsportsmanlike conduct has reopened questions about his discipline. With every misstep, the narrative around him shifts further from promise to frustration.

Pickens’s struggles couldn’t have come at a worse time. The Steelers need their stars to shine with playoff hopes on the line. However, dropped passes, sideline drama, and fines have cast a shadow over his immense potential. The ball is in Pickens’s court—literally and figuratively. Can he step up and prove the doubters wrong? Steelers fans are watching closely.