Mike Tomlin doesn't have an issue with rookie George Pickens' outburst over his role on offense.

After a fourth-quarter change of possession in the Pittsburgh Steelers' win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Pickens walked off the field and appeared to angrily shout: "Throw me the f---ing ball" in a moment captured by the television broadcast.

"I'd rather say 'Whoa' than 'Sic 'em,'" Tomlin said. "I want a guy that wants to be a significant part of what it is that we do. Now, the appropriate and professional and mature way to express that, we're growing and working on, and we will continue to. But that spirit, that competitive spirit, the guy that wants the ball. I want that guy."

Pickens declined an ESPN interview in the locker room after finishing with one catch for two yards on two targets.