“If you gonna be a cancer, you gotta go. To me, it’s that simple,” these were Kendall Simmons’ words for George Pickens. A former lineman with the Steelers. Simmons struck a match and set the house on fire. Not “needs guidance” or “a bit immature.” No, we went directly to the terminal diagnosis without consulting the growth chart. And that label sticks like cold ketchup on the turf at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, where the wide receiver heritage runs from Lynn Swann to Antonio Brown.
Simmons’ frustration was understandable. In a year where Pittsburgh’s offensive line was playing musical chairs, the defense had to take out mortgages on their backs. And the season collapsed like a bad soufflé—George Pickens still found time to add drama. Penalties? Check. Lazy routes? Check. A Bengals game meltdown that featured two flags and some stat padding on a silver plate? Ahh…Triple check.
And then came the kitten ears. Yes, that IG story—the cinematic short clip of George Pickens, decked out in a grey cap with kitten ears, grinding through footwork drills. He looked like a cross between an anime side character and a slot receiver with something to prove. The camera work? Courtesy of Jesus Miranda, who doubled as a cameraman and motivational coach. “Turn, turn. Good job. Shoulder, shoulder. Come on,” he shouted—like a director feeding lines in a redemption movie montage. And Pickens? He was locked in.
Pickens wasn’t labelled “cancer” by mistake. In 2024, he drew personal foul penalties. He received two flags for unsportsmanlike behaviour during a Week 13 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. He taunted linebacker Germaine Pratt following a first-down catch, which resulted in the first penalty. The second was for pointing a finger gun at the audience after yet another significant reception. The NFL fined Pickens a total of $20,462 for these two incidents.
Mike Tomlin, meanwhile, has been doing more than just coaching. He’s been a full-time shield for Pickens—deflecting bullets like the football version of Neo in The Matrix. “He has a superstar ability, I really do believe that. It’s just the off-the-field stuff that is gonna keep him from being All-Pro and all those different accolades that he could possibly get just based on his talent. I don’t see him being there for much longer. He’s going to wear out his welcome if he hasn’t already.” The question now is: how much longer can Tomlin walk this tightrope? Because at some point, shielding turns into enabling, and Tomlin’s locker room isn’t built to babysit.
Pickens may have started his rebuttal—silently, symbolically. Like that’s all he needed. In an offseason where his name was being dragged across every sports desk, he didn’t drop quotes—he dropped cones. And that’s exactly how you start peeling off the “cancer” label—not with a press conference or a Twitter apology, but with tape. Not of touchdowns, but of effort. Accountability. The kind you can’t fake. But the rumours haven’t stopped because of the silence.
From WR1 to trade bait: George Pickens on the bubble
The Steelers are discreetly looking for wide receiver insurance as George Pickens is creating Instagram reels, and DK Metcalf’s name is buzzing throughout the hallways. That’s not depth. That raises some eyebrows. Unless you intend to change the food chain, you don’t bring DK to town. And it raises the question of who’s getting squeezed out when Calvin Austin and Roman Wilson, a potential rookie, are already in the mix.
Naturally, the front office is playing it cool. General Manager Omar Khan dismissed the idea of a Pickens trade like he was brushing lint off a blazer. “You need more than one receiver in this league. And we’re fortunate that we have George (Pickens) and Calvin (Austin). We’re also excited about what Roman (Wilson) is going to be able to do for us,” he said. Sure. But you don’t need two receivers, both expecting $30 million extensions.
That’s where the financial issue comes up. As Pickens enters the last year of his contract, there has been no progress—no discussions about an extension, no preparations made—just radio silence. He is a possible WR1 who might become a free agent in 2026. And if Metcalf signs for megabucks, the Steelers will have to make a decision fast. Because history says they’re not paying two alphas. One of them is walking. Or getting walked.
Pickens would have left by now if this had been merely a locker-room drama. But here’s the twist: his stats still slap. He recorded 1,140 yards and five touchdowns despite a turbulent season. He was the threat defenses schemed for. Despite his antics, defensive backs still get agitated when he lines up across from them for a reason: he’s that guy.
So what happens next? Tomlin says he wants George on the roster. Khan says they’re lucky to have him. But all that can be true—and still temporary. Because this league doesn’t do loyalty—it does leverage. And if Pickens’ value is rising again, now might be the time to cash in before things unravel again.
The post Called Locker Room Cancer, George Pickens Puts Forward His Case to Mike Tomlin’s Steelers Amid WR1 Trade Talks appeared first on EssentiallySports.
