George Pickens pays homage to Marshawn Lynch, refuses to answer media questions

Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3) receiver George Pickens channeled his inner Marshawn Lynch on Friday, refusing to answer the majority of questions during his media availability.

Pickens, speaking publicly for the first time since Pittsburgh’s 24-19 Week 12 road defeat to the Cleveland Browns (3-8), answered “I’m just here so I don’t get fined” to any question relating to his end of game scuffle with cornerback Greg Newsome II, per Brooke Pryor of ESPN.

George Pickens opted to go the Marshawn Lynch route about any question related to the scuffle at the end of the Browns game and on one about how to improve the red zone offense.

He also said Cincinnati had a “potent” offense. pic.twitter.com/SodO4LFePb

— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) November 29, 2024

Pickens and Newsome engaged in an altercation following Pittsburgh’s Hail Mary attempt on the final play of the game. The two were tangled together as they ran into the end zone during the play. As they went through the back of the end zone, Pickens appeared to sling Newsome towards the stands. The pair then fought on the ground before stadium personnel arrived to de-escalate the situation.

George Pickens shuns media’s questions ahead of Week 13 vs. Bengals

Newsome told ESPN after Cleveland’s win that Pickens is a “fake tough guy,” a message he reiterated later on social media. Things were indeed chippy in the snow between the two AFC North rivals, as they tend to be. Pickens was at the center of it and didn’t mince words after the game when discussing why the Steelers lost.

“Conditions played a huge, huge part in today’s game,” Pickens said. “I don’t really think the Cleveland Browns are a good team at all. I think the conditions kind of saved them today.”

Pickens, in his third year in the league, is the Steelers’ leading receiver this season. He has hauled in 52 receptions for 776 yards and two touchdowns.

Pittsburgh had won six games in a row before the surprise defeat to Cleveland. Next up is a road matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals (4-7) in Week 13 this Sunday.