His Instagram account (@1.issue), once sprinkled with highlight reels and photos of him in Steelers uniform, is now nearly empty and sad. Only a 2020 video of former Carolina Panthers and current Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule remains.

Pickens had the worst game of his career for all the world to see on Thursday night against the Tennessee Titans. And now he’s all up in his feelings, disassociating himself from all things Steelers.

He was far from in his element last night, catching one of the few beautiful and accurate throws from Kenny Pickett with one foot out of bounds. Pickens is renowned for making spectacular catches appear effortless, but his stride was simply too long to make this play even need a great deal of effort.

Though Pickett has been inaccurate all season, it was apparent he wasn’t 100 percent with the rib injury, missing wide-open receivers left and right. Pickens’ off night had a lot to do with that. His selfish attitude was evident when he was seen slumped down on the bench with a towel over his head after Diontae Johnson scored his first touchdown since 2021.

Today, The Athletic’s Mark Kaboly told 93.7 The Fan: “By far the first person that left the field, in the locker room and out the door. By far. He was not happy. People on the sidelines told me that he did not really talk to anyone after the touchdown. Sulking his head in his hands.”

Players make mistakes. They have bad games. This was Pickens’ first since he started making plays as a rookie. He must mature and understand that the Pittsburgh Steelers are the real team, not the Pittsburgh Steelers. Mike Tomlin needs to sit his star down and hash it out.

The Steelers are on a mini-bye week, with their next game on Nov. 12 against the 2-5 Green Bay Packers at Acrisure Stadium.