Stephen A. Smith expressed his frustration with George Pickens’ behavior after the Steelers’ loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. The star wide receiver, who has been one of Pittsburgh’s key playmakers, faced criticism for his effort during a play that led to an interception thrown by Russell Wilson. When asked about the situation, Pickens was visibly frustrated and didn’t seem to take responsibility, responding, “that’s what he said,” when questioned about being out of sync with his quarterback.

Smith did not hold back in his criticism of Pickens’ reaction. He called it “petulant” and argued that it reflected poorly on the team. According to Smith, while it’s natural for a player to be frustrated on the field, Pickens’ attitude off the field, particularly in the interview, made the situation worse. Smith emphasized that the Steelers have been struggling recently, suffering three consecutive losses, and the last thing they need is a star player adding fuel to the fire with unproductive behavior.

Smith also pointed out that Pickens’ actions during games, when he’s frustrated about not getting the ball, are already a concern. While his competitive spirit is understandable, Smith believes that his visible frustration should be managed better. The Steelers’ playoff hopes are slim after these recent losses, and Smith believes Pickens’ immaturity could hurt the team’s chances if they don’t address these issues.

Despite this, Ryan Clark, a former Steelers player, provided a different perspective. Clark argued that Pickens’ frustrations were understandable, as he’s a highly talented receiver who wants to be involved in the game. He believes that the Steelers need to do more to get Pickens the ball, especially after he was sidelined by injury. While Clark acknowledged Pickens’ need to grow as a player, he also emphasized that his competitive drive is part of what makes him a top-tier talent.

Ultimately, while Pickens’ frustrations are understandable, Smith is concerned that his lack of maturity could be a bigger problem for the Steelers as they fight for a playoff spot. The team needs to improve on both offense and defense, and how Pickens handles his frustrations moving forward will be crucial to the Steelers’ success.