Mike Tomlin can’t say “definitely” whether George Pickens was late for the Christmas game

Wide receiver George Pickens was the subject of the final question at Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin’s season-ending news conference on Tuesday.

The question was about the report that Pickens arrived late to the team’s Christmas game against the Chiefs, and Tomlin said he couldn’t say “definitely” if that’s the case.

“I really don’t know if I have an answer to that, to be completely honest. I have there’s a lot going on in before the game,” Tomlin said.

That wasn’t the only question for Pickens during the press conference. Pickens’ emotional outbursts have been a problem on and off the field during his first two years with the Steelers and he’s had more trouble on that front this season. Tomlin said it’s something the team will continue to work on in 2025.

“There’s definitely, obviously, more room for growth,” Tomlin said. “I think he’s covered some ground in 2024, but there’s certainly a lot more to cover and we’ll see where that takes us.”

Pickens is eligible for an extension this offseason and has been the team’s most productive receiver despite other issues, but Tomlin said they “have not had any conversations” about any contract matters at this point.