Former NFL star Donovan McNabb issues a strong caution to George Pickens of the Steelers
Donovan McNabb, a former NFL star, has delivered a cautionary message to Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens amid criticism for his failure to block during the game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Pickens justified his actions by expressing concerns about avoiding injuries, referencing an incident with Houston Texans rookie Tank Dell.On his OutKick show, “The Five Spot,” McNabb expressed his disapproval of Pickens’ explanation and criticized the receiver for what he perceived as a lack of effort on the field.
In a conversation with OutKick senior NFL reporter Armando Salguero, Donovan McNabb elaborated on his concerns, stating, “If I’m scrambling outside the pocket, attempting to create plays and turn around a challenging situation, and I observe a teammate of mine simply standing there, facing me without blocking the opponent nearby, I’d question what he’s doing.
If that teammate then hinders my progress or prevents me from reaching the end zone, I take issue with that.” McNabb emphasized the importance of teamwork and the potential impact of a lack of effort from a teammate in critical moments on the field.
Donovan McNabb continued to express his concerns, emphasizing that the lack of effort in blocking demonstrates selfishness and a failure to play for the team.
He pointed out that this issue wasn’t isolated to just one receiver, but Pickens, being one of the most talented players on the team, stood out.
McNabb acknowledged Pickens’ potential frustration for not receiving the ball as much, but he cautioned against allowing that frustration to impact the overall team dynamic, particularly when it comes to crucial plays where collective effort is essential.
Donovan McNabb characterized the situation as a revelation for him, expressing deep concern about what he perceives as a lack of care and a self-centered attitude on the part of certain players, particularly highlighting George Pickens.
McNabb stressed that this issue extends beyond just the coaching staff, emphasizing that it’s a matter of team culture that the locker room needs to address.
He asserted that the team, and especially the locker room, must take responsibility for policing such behavior to ensure it doesn’t recur. McNabb predicted severe consequences for Pickens, stating that his next position might be “out the door” due to the team’s potential response.
He pointed out the urgency of the situation, given Pickens’ rookie deal, suggesting that the team might be quick to part ways if they perceive a lack of commitment.
McNabb concluded by indicating that, in his view, such consequences might be well-deserved, especially in light of Pickens’ comments.
The broader context of the Steelers dealing with turmoil throughout the season adds complexity to the team dynamics.
Pittsburgh made the decision to dismiss offensive coordinator Matt Canada due to the team’s offensive struggles.
Both George Pickens and Diontae Johnson have voiced concerns about their roles within the offense, while Kenny Pickett has been sidelined due to injury.
Despite various challenges, the Steelers remain in the running for a wild-card playoff spot. With a record of 7-7, they are just one game behind the Colts, who currently hold the final playoff spot.
