Following their loss to the Bengals in the last regular season game Russell Wilson showed his faith in George Pickens. The volatile WR had a difficult game as the Steelers prepared to take on the Ravens in the Wild Card game. But Wilson’s words mattered little as for the fourth time in five years, the Steelers have failed to make it to the Divisional Round. Lamar Jackson and the Ravens made history as they ran all over the Steelers to register a 28-14 win.

Before the game, Wilson had backed Pickens to be the “difference maker.” However, once the Steelers’ season came to an end, Pickens didn’t show the same belief in his team’s offensive line led by Wilson. In the defeat to the Ravens, the offense didn’t get on the scoreboard for the first two quarters as Lamar Jackson and Co. raced to a 21-0 lead. Pickens only got into action late in the third quarter scoring his team’s second touchdown of the day on a 36-yard catch-and-run from a Wilson pass.

But it wasn’t enough as the Steelers ended their season with a fifth consecutive defeat. In the post-game press conference, Pickens had a very indifferent response when asked about his team’s future. The young WR has been the Steelers’ leader in receiving yards for three seasons now but appeared frustrated after yet another failed campaign.

When asked whether he has seen signs of growth in the offense in his three years at the franchise, he answered, “Yeah, I’ve seen signs of growth, for sure. From past — first year I’ve been here, just way more growth, for sure.” However, when questioned “Does that make you optimistic going forward?” Pickens bluntly replied, “Nah.”

Players getting frustrated with their teams after tough losses isn’t anything new this season and it seems like George Pickens let his emotions spill out after the wild-card loss. His blunt take on the Steelers’ offensive struggles seems something straight out of The Breakfast Club—he’s not here to sugarcoat things. And he’s got a point. The Steelers’ offensive line has been crumbling in recent weeks, and fingers could be pointed right at Russell Wilson.

It’s been a rough ride for him in Pittsburgh. In 2023, he dealt with injuries that slowed him down, and in 2024, his stats have been pretty average. This season the veteran QB has racked up 2,482 yards, with 16 TDs and five interceptions. Against the Ravens, Wilson went 20 of 29 for 270 yards and had two TDs. The Pittsburgh offense went 5-for-11 on third-down attempts before surrendering to their opponents.

But there might be another reason for Pickens’ lack of optimism. Quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields are both set to hit free agency in the offseason and so far there have been no talks about the Steelers re-signing them. Moreover, HC Mike Tomlin’s future is also uncertain after the Steelers suffered their sixth straight playoff loss under him. As such, it is understandable if Pickens doesn’t see much hope of things improving in the coming days.

Pickens is also up for a contract extension as he enters the final year of his rookie deal in 2025. He had five catches for 87 yards and a touchdown in the playoff loss at Baltimore and ended the regular season with 59 receptions, 900 yards, and three touchdowns in 14 games. This shows his consistency, but his volatile nature has got him in trouble this season.

As has been the case so often this season, the WR found himself on the NFL’s fine list following Week 18. He was hit with a $22,511.00 fine for unnecessary roughness (facemask) during the Week 18 game against the Bengals. The incident happened in the fourth quarter, with 5:31 left on the clock. That game ended in a nail-biting 19-17 loss for the Steelers, and now Pickens is paying the price for a moment of frustration. 

Earlier, he received a facemask penalty in early November after the wide receiver tried to stiff-arm Washington cornerback Benjamin St. Juste and got his fingers stuck in the grills on his helmet. Against the Cowboys, he faced two fines, one of which was for grabbing the facemask of Dallas cornerback Jourdain Lewis and pulling him to the ground. The NFL fined him $10, 230 and another $10,231 for his explicit eye black message.

Meanwhile, the Steelers face an offseason of uncertainty after yet another season went to waste following a promising start. Wilson is one of those players who will be a free agent in the coming days. Yet, he has expressed a desire to return to the team and unlike Pickens, has shown faith with the players the team has.

Wilson keen on returning to Pittsburgh

In addition to Wilson and Fields, OT Dan Moore Jr., CB Donte Jackson, WR Mike Williams, and WR Van Jefferson are some of the key players who will enter free agency from the Steelers. While there have been little to no developments about re-signing them, Wilson has made his intentions clear.

“It’s been truly a blessing in my life. It’s been one of the best years for me, personally, to be a Pittsburgh Steeler. Obviously, I hope I’m here, and everything else. I trust God, whatever that is,” he said about his future.

He added, “I think that any time that you’re seeking something that we’re seeking, to win another Super Bowl here and everything else, there’s always highs and lows,” Wilson said. “I think that, more importantly, I believe in the guys that we have.” The emotions shared by Pickens and Wilson couldn’t be more contrasting. While one isn’t too positive about his team’s chances, the other is all about believing in the guys.

After the disappointment of yet another season, it will be interesting to see how the Steelers’ off season unfolds.