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The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the most historically successful and consistent franchises in the entire NFL.
But it seems they may have reached a crossroads, and now legendary coach Bill Cowher has decided to weigh in on the matter.
Cowher went on the “Pat McAfee Show” Thursday and spoke out about Steelers wideout George Pickens, who has been the center of attention in recent days.
“It is disappointing to see and hear what George Pickens talks about, because culture really is about commitment and sacrifice,” Cowher said. “You’re not just playing with one another, you’re playing for one another.”
Cowher said he “could never imagine” a player doing what Pickens did and “not performing and giving everything.”
“To me, it’s all about effort,” Cowher said. “We’re going to make mistakes, I get it, and sometimes we don’t make the right call. But the one thing that should never be questioned is your effort and your ability to be there for your teammate, picking somebody up.
“That is very bothersome. I think there’s got to be consequences for that, so we’ll see what happens with it. He’s going to be held accountable, because you have to have accountability. If you don’t do anything and there’s no consequence to the choice that he made, now you’re losing accountability, and I think that’s a very important element that you have to have in that building.”
Pickens is expected to start Sunday against the Bengals despite current head coach Mike Tomlin calling him out over questionable effort levels.
Bill Cowher Comments On George Pickens And Mike Tomlin Show Growing Divide
The Steelers have struggled in recent years. Particularly since the retirement of future hall of fame quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
That’s left many former players, Roethlisberger included, to question to the principals of the franchise.
“Maybe the tradition of the Pittsburgh Steelers is done,” Roethlisberger asked recently.
Meanwhile, former Steelers safety Ryan Clark expressed similar concerns.
“I don’t know if it’s Coach Tomlin’s ability or willingness to let you be authentically you. But something needs to change. Because what’s happened generation to generation, era to era, year to year in that that room has been absolutely unacceptable,” Clark said on ESPN on Thursday.
There’s clearly a rift between past Pittsburgh players and the current organization. And it seems as if it’s growing wider by the week.