PITTSBURGH -- The talk around George Pickens in Pittsburgh is reaching a fever pitch. Pickens wore eye black stating that he was ‘always (expletive) open,’ threw down Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis by his facemask at the end of the team’s loss, and on tape, appeared to run many of his routes at less than full effort.

On Tuesday, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin held his regular start of the week press conference and was asked about the behavior of wide receiver George Pickens. Tomlin was also asked again about Pickens reduction in snaps last week against the Dallas Cowboys and Tomlin doubled down on his double talk about it being snap management and not about Pickens being benched.

Despite his standing as one of the more prolific head coaches in league history, Mike Tomlin continues to receive criticism from all corners of the NFL world whenever the Pittsburgh Steelers falter, even if just a little bit.