Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin turns reporter on question about Kenny Pickett’s quarterback ratings in win against Titans: ‘Just ask from that perspective’

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin turned the tables on a reporter in response to a question about Kenny Pickett’s quarterback ratings in the first, second and third quarters in last week’s 20-16 win against the Titans.

Pickett threw 160 passing yards for a touchdown and no interceptions vs. Tennessee in the final game appearing on Thursday Night Football (TNF). But the 25-year-old finished with a completion rate of 63.6 percent (19 out of 30) at the end of the match.

After the game, the reporter asked Tomlin at his post-game conference, “Pickett’s QB ratings are 75 through the first three quarters…is there anything particularly not happening for him?”

“What is his rating in the fourth quarter?” Tomlin said after cutting off the reporter’s question. Then he was told it was 108.

“Well, just ask from that perspective,” replied the 2009 Super Bowl champion, who is in his 17th year as head coach of the Steelers. “He’s great in the fourth quarter. Man, he stands up in those moments. He wants to be the reason we are successful.

‘He’s getting his tail off. In some cases where people run away from challenges, he runs towards challenges. That’s why its fourth-quarter performance is so good. These other neighborhoods we will work on.”

The Steelers are 5-3 overall after their recent win, keeping their postseason hopes alive. They are second in the AFC North behind the 7-2 Ravens.

Pittsburgh hasn’t reached the NFL playoffs since 2021, when the team was defeated by the Chiefs in the AFC Wild Card game.

But before he can do that, Tomlin will have to deal with some drama involving his wide receiver, George Pickens, who had two receptions for -1 yard on five targets Thursday night. He caught one pass for 22 yards against the Jags’ the week before.

Tomlin said he wants players who “want the ball” and that he has an open door when players are frustrated. Tomlin said that would be an apt description of Pickens.

‘Oh well, he expresses his frustration all the time. He wants to be important,” Tomlin said Tuesday. “He wants to be a reason why we are successful. I want guys who want football. I want guys who want to be central to our success. That’s a non-issue.’

The day after beating the Titans, Pickens posted “free me” on Instagram and deleted references to the Steelers from his account.

Steelers WR George Pickens removed the Steelers from his IG bio after games against the Titans

Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick is close to returning from injury ahead of Green Bay

Tomlin said it is not preferable for Pickens to take his frustration to Instagram, but that the conversation between coach and player took place internally and has died down. He said the perceived problem is nothing compared to the big picture of preparing for the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.

“I know it’s a nice story for you guys, but it’s a bit of a pain in my shoe to be very honest with you compared to the things I have to do. Our focus is on the Green Bay Packers and what we need to do in this football game. I can’t say it any clearer than that. It’s like reality television, the way you guys follow social media and write stories about it,” Tomlin said.

Pickens has been targeted 58 times with 30 receptions for 521 yards and three touchdowns in 2023.

A bigger storyline Sunday from Tomlin’s vantage point would be the return of safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick is far from certain to play this week, but is “moving forward,” Tomlin said, and working on the hamstring injury he suffered in Week 8 against the Jaguars.

Tomlin said he won’t rule Fitzpatrick out after clearing him as an option early last week ahead of Thursday’s game against Tennessee.