I don't understand why the Pickens snap thing is such a contentious issue. I think the Bengals have a new OC this year but Chase plays for a McVay tree head coach who uses 3WR formations on probably like 75% of plays. Arthur Smith is closer to the Shanahan mold that use multiple TE's. This basically boils down to his usage of guys like Darnell Washington and MyCole Pruitt. Smith likes condensed formations and bigger bodies for short yardage situations. Other coaches like to spread it out.
If this bothers you... well...buckle up for the next 1-3 years. I wasn't exactly thrilled with the hire but this is just what he does. I don't currently have an issue with it because Pickens only grades out as an average blocker and his talents are better utilizied in the receiving game, where he's participating on nearly 100% of passing plays. He's got the 12th highest target share in the NFL at 28%. In a higher volume passing offense, he'd be putting up elite numbers every week.