Welcome to the Terrible Take, a daily segment telling Steelers Nation what's on our mind.

I'm Alex Kizora.

Remembering that time long, long ago, like six weeks ago, when George Pickens was about

to be run out of town by half the Steelers fan base, he's a problem.

The Steelers have cut his playing time.

He's just another diva receiver, not worth the headache.

Now, crickets. Mostly because, let's be honest, the Steelers are winning. It cures all. It's no wonder

why the Pickens stories only coincide when the team loses, their 2023 losing streak, their two

games skid in 2024. When they win, mums the word.

But Pickens is also, as far as I can tell, not a bad teammate. I mean, he's trying. He was as

excited as anyone for Mike Williams' first Steelers' touchdown against Washington on Sunday.

He ran over to jump with him in the end zone and continued praising Williams

on the sideline. And even with Pickens not always getting involved in this still run first offense,

he's been a team player that has not shown any obvious signs of frustration or anger about his role

while still making his classic Pickens big plays. Now, don't get me wrong, Pickens is still a hothead.

There's going to be some issues down the road, again, probably when the team loses. But I don't

think he's a bad guy. I think he's still pretty young and still relatively mature and just

kind of a goofy dude, well-meaning in a lot of ways who can get upset like pretty much every other star receiver in football.

There will still remain a healthy debate about extending and paying him big money

distracting to make next year. That discussion will come in the summer. But as far as I can tell,

Pickens has made an effort to be a good teammate and grow up at least a little.

Be sure to follow us at Steelers Depot.com and check out episodes of The Terrible Take every day at 5 p.m. Eastern Time.

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