For the most part, Mike Tomlin and the Steelers have been shielded by national media.
Largely riding the reputations of Tomlin and the organization as a whole, many national sports media members are quick to defend the Steelers.
After three straight losses and what many perceive as a mishandling of wide receiver George Pickens and his attitude problems and lack of effort on the field, the gloves are off.
Ryan Clark, former Steelers safety unloaded on the wide receiver’s room.
From (Antonio Brown), to JuJu (Smith-Schuster), to Diontae Johnson and now George Pickens, there’s been a cancer in that room,” Clark said on ESPN. “I don’t know how it started. I don’t know if it’s Coach Tomlin’s ability or willingness to let you be authentically you, but something needs to change.”
Former quarterback and ESPN host Dan Orlovsky also didn’t hold back.
He said it’s “shocking” that the Steelers are not at least benching Pickens.
“When did this become okay in Pittsburgh?” Orlovsky asked on GetUp. “I played for organization that weren’t good. This is the kind of stupid stuff that we did, we weren’t the Steelers.”
Orlovsky also said the Steelers organization used to be more important than the individual player, but now it’s more about the name on the back of the jersey.
Shannon Sharpe also unloaded on the Pickens situation.
“A child will continuously misbehave unless there’s correction,” said Sharpe.
He adds it goes back to when they gave Antonio Brown a contract, rewarding negative behavior.
“That is the standard, B.S’ing,” said Sharpe. “Ain’t no more standard is the standard because Mike Tomlin has told you, has shown you what the standard is. If you can play, it doesn’t matter what you do on the field you can bull jive, you can drop passes, you can go half-hearted.”
Former head coach Bill Cowher says the Steelers could be losing accountability by not disciplining Pickens.
“I think that’s a very, very important element to have in that building,” Cowher said on the Pat McAfee Show.
Cowher said he thinks the Steelers can turn the offense around but hey need to take a step back in the offseason and really change some things.