Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin called out wide receiver George Pickens following the team’s 44-38 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.
Pickens led the team with three catches for 75 yards and a touchdown in the first quarter. However, Tomlin was not satisfied with the penalties imposed by Pickens. The wide receiver received two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in the game. Pittsburgh was charged with nine penalties for 103 yards.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin speaks to reporters after the team’s NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)
“He just needs to grow up, man,” Tomlin told reporters. via ESPN. “This is an emotional game, man. These division games are big. He has a target on his back because he is George, he understands that. But he needs to grow up. He must be in a hurry.’
Pickens’ behavior has come under scrutiny this season.
He got into a fight with Cleveland Browns defenseman Greg Newsome II in their Thursday night game last month. He was also accused of taking the playoffs earlier this season.
JAGUARS PLAYERS RIP TEXAN’S AZEEZ AL-SHAAIR FOR ‘DUMB HIT’ ON TREVOR LAWRENCE
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens, No. 14, reacts after being flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
On Sunday, Pickens avoided a costly exclusion due to his penalties. One of the flags came when he made a “violent gesture” after a first-time pick-up. NFL officials thought he was making the gun-like gesture seen around the league this season, so a penalty was called. Pickens said officials misinterpreted his hand gestures.
The other penalty came when he threw a ball to a group of Bangladeshi players in the first quarter.
Pickens said he didn’t have to do anything else.
“No, honestly, like I said, I can just keep running my routes and keep playing,” he told reporters in part, adding that he was just happy the team came out on top regardless of the “ ticky-tack” calls.
Pickens has been the bright spot of the Steelers’ receiving corps this season. He has 55 catches for 850 yards and three touchdowns.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens, #14, celebrates with running back Jaylen Warren, #30, after scoring a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, December 1, 2024 in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
The Steelers are 9-3 this season and top the AFC North.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports reporting on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
