Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens is under fire for his effort against the Detroit Lions, and he is not happy about it.

Former NFL All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman blasted Pickens after the game, pointing out multiple reps where Pickens lacked effort. Sherman says that Pickens looked ‘uninterested in playing football’ multiple times, and if he wants to get a huge bag, he has to keep his effort up.

“The big story here was George Pickens,” Sherman said. “George Pickens throughout the game, especially late in the game, just looked uninterested. Uninterested in playing football. And that’s what you can’t have if you’re gonna be a superstar. If you wanna be the best receiver in the National Football League, you can’t ever be disengaged. Doesn’t matter if the game’s going your way or not going your way.”

Sherman says on many plays, Pickens just gave half effort, which shows just why the Steelers traded him and why Dallas should not pay him top dollar.

“You can’t just disappear in these games… You’re the guy! CeeDee Lamb is not in this game… And you can’t be the guy and half (effort) it. I’m sorry. It’s unacceptable,” Sherman said. “And if you’re the Dallas Cowboys and you’re looking to pay him big-time receiver money—$40 million—you’re gonna look at this tape and say, ‘Hey, is this a guy we can trust paying $40 million to show up regardless of circumstances.”

Pickens caught wind of those comments, and responded in a lengthy Instagram post on Friday. He said he is just one member of a team, and called out Sherman’s comments for not understanding certain coverages that were being played.

“This is a team game lmao I’m not the only one on the team. Stop becoming an analyst and talking about one player when he playin a teams game. Lots of (expletive) has to go right for Explosive. Plays… and it’s funny cause I thought former players would know that such as RICHARD (expletive) SHERMAN WHO [BY THE WAY] AIN’T (expletive) WITHOUT THE LEGION OF BOOM WE ALL REMEMBER SAN FRANCISCO BROTHER,” Pickens wrote. “Much love… Don’t speak on me unless you know the game of football as a former player not a fan/analyst that act like double team is not a thing or certain bracket coverages don’t exist. Knowing you played ball which show me you a LEACH WEIRDO.”

The second-round pick of the Steelers in the 2022 NFL Draft, both he and Kenny Pickett, the team’s first two picks from that draft, never finished their rookie contracts with the team.

Pickens missed three games a year ago with a hamstring injury, dampening what looked to be a second-straight 1000-yard season with the third-year wide receiver.

He averaged 15.3 yards per reception with 59 receptions for 900 yards on the year. In each of the last two seasons, Pickens has eclipsed 15 yards per catch and 900 yards as the focus of the team’s passing offense.

Yet, his star making theatrics with the Cowboys have certainly made the Steelers at least think about if they should have moved on from the talent he truly is as a player.