Pittsburgh Steelers WR George Pickens played under 60 percent of the team’s snaps last Sunday, atypical for a top target. It is a complete outlier in his three-year career, so of course it drew attention. Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith insists that he isn’t quite sure why as he tried to explain.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Pickens said that it was up to Smith to play him more. Smith instead zoomed out rather than in when asked about his receiver’s comments, noting his history with other receivers. He also pointed out that the Steelers’ history of WR1 playing time isn’t his history.