‘It’s Tough To Watch’: Christian Kuntz Frustrated Seeing George Pickens Dominate In Dallas
The move to trade fourth-year wide receiver George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys this offseason for a third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft was a move that was deemed necessary by the Pittsburgh Steelers. They moved on from a young receiver that had been a real issue in the locker room and on the field, and gout out of potentially making a mistake with his next contract.
And yet, despite it being deemed a necessary move, one that simply had to happen because leaders in the locker room were reportedly done with him, it’s been hard to see the Georgia product dominating the NFL the way he is this season with the Cowboys.
Pickens has hauled in 67 passes for 1,054 yards and eight touchdowns. He has four 100-yard games on the season, and has emerged as a true All-Pro receiver. Meanwhile in Pittsburgh, the passing offense is largely a disaster. DK Metcalf hasn’t become the No. 1 the Steelers believed he was, Aaron Rodgers is getting rid of the ball very quickly, and the throw-short, run-long passing attack is struggling.
It’s tough to see for fans, who are frustrated watching Pickens ball out. It’s even tough for some players to see in the locker room, too.
That includes long snapper Christian Kuntz. On the latest episode of his podcast, Kuntz shared his thoughts on Pickens and what he’s doing in Dallas, including his comments on Pickens’ Players’ Tribune article in which he admitted he was immature in Pittsburgh and could have been better.
“It’s tough to watch and that sucks to hear,” Kuntz said of Pickens and him admitting he was immature in Pittsburgh, according to video via the show’s YouTube page. “It’s like, ‘Damn, dude. We wish [you could have done that here]. But George is a hell of a player, dude. Like, he’s one of the best receivers in the world.
“It just is what it is.”
That’s a good way for a current player to summarize things when it comes to Pickens no longer being in Pittsburgh and having a career year elsewhere. It just is what it is.
The Steelers did everything they could in Pickens’ first three years to keep him in line. Granted, the offensive scheme didn’t put him in the best positions to be that true game-breaker that he is now in Dallas. But Pickens was immature, and largely got in his own way.
He was reportedly showing up late to practices and games. He’d have incidents on the sidelines with frustrations about not getting the ball and not getting opportunities to make plays. In games, he’d also take selfish penalties, including that game in Cincinnati in 2024 in which he took multiple unsportsmanlike conduct penalties for taunting, leading to head coach Mike Tomlin stating after the game that the young receiver needed to grow up.
Ultimately, he never did in Pittsburgh. That’s something he now owns. Growth isn’t linear, and it happens on a different timeline for everyone. He’s in a good spot now and is playing some great football.
That doesn’t make it any less painful to see though, especially after the Steelers invested so much time and energy into him, from the pre-draft process ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft, to right before they traded him.
BREAKING: Robert Kraft Slams MrBeast’s Controversial ‘NFL Buyout’ Stunt – Calls It a Disrespectful Attempt to Undermine the League’s Legacy for Views
Foxborough, MA – Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots, has spoken out against the viral ad released by internet sensation MrBeast in which he claims to have “purchased the entire NFL” as part of a promotion for a free livestream event. Kraft, who has always championed the integrity of the NFL and its teams, has called out the video as nothing more than a publicity stunt aimed at grabbing attention without regard for the sport’s legacy.
In the ad, MrBeast, known for his over-the-top stunts and philanthropy, exaggerates his involvement with the NFL, saying, “I’ve bought the NFL, and now you can watch the entire league for free!” The video quickly went viral, with millions of views across social media platforms. While many of MrBeast’s followers took the video in stride as another outlandish stunt, Kraft’s response was swift and critical.
"I understand the value of entertainment, but to trivialize the NFL, its players, coaches, and fans like this is disrespectful," Kraft said in a statement to the media. "The NFL isn’t a game for sale—it’s a community built on passion, tradition, and respect. MrBeast may have a platform, but this stunt crosses a line, turning something sacred into a cheap grab for attention. The NFL deserves better than this.”
Kraft’s remarks come as the NFL continues to make strides in its own efforts to connect with fans through digital content and expanded access, though never at the cost of the league’s integrity. While the NFL has embraced new ways to engage fans, including streaming options for games, Kraft believes that the NFL’s value should not be reduced to clickbait and sensationalism.
The video, which has now sparked a firestorm of debate, has drawn mixed reactions across social media. Some fans found it humorous and entertaining, while others, like Kraft, believe it undermines the seriousness and legacy of professional sports. “This is about more than just a viral moment,” Kraft continued. “It’s about the values that make the NFL what it is today—commitment, respect, and dedication. This kind of stunt only cheapens the sport and distracts from the real issues we face as a league.”
While MrBeast has built his career on shocking stunts and viral videos, his latest move has raised eyebrows across the sports world. Critics argue that while his philanthropic efforts are commendable, this particular ad sends the wrong message about the value of sports and the organizations that run them.
MrBeast, known for his large-scale giveaways and challenges, has yet to respond to Kraft’s criticism, but his past track record suggests he may brush off the controversy in favor of the attention his video generated.
For Kraft and many others, however, the damage is already done. “It’s one thing to joke around or promote a charity,” Kraft concluded, “but when you start playing with the integrity of the game, that’s where I draw the line.”
