George Pickens Goes Quiet Again, and the Cowboys Are Still Searching for Answers
The Dallas Cowboys have a George Pickens problem - or at least, a George Pickens usage problem. After a tough outing last week against the Lions, Pickens followed it up with another underwhelming performance in Sunday night’s 34-26 loss to the Minnesota Vikings at AT&T Stadium. And while the Cowboys offense had its moments, it’s hard to ignore the absence of one of their most dynamic weapons.
Pickens finished the night with just three catches for 33 yards, and it wasn’t for lack of trying. According to offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, the Vikings came in with a clear plan: limit the deep shots and take away Pickens as a vertical threat.
“A lot of Cover-2, a lot of technique things, they change their coverage up a lot,” Schottenheimer explained. “There was a plan to limit our explosives.
I think he had six targets and only three catches, and that’s not enough. That starts with me and the offensive staff.
We’ve got to find ways to get him the ball better.”
That’s a fair acknowledgment from Schottenheimer, but it also raises the question: is a steady dose of Cover-2 really enough to neutralize a receiver of Pickens’ caliber?
For the second straight week, he was a non-factor. One catch in the first half, two more in the second - and that’s it.
This from a player who, through the first three months of the season, was one of Dallas’ most consistent playmakers. Before this slump, Pickens had only one game under 57 receiving yards.
Now he’s failed to crack 40 in back-to-back weeks.
CeeDee Lamb once again carried the passing game, hauling in six catches for 111 yards. Rookie Ryan Flournoy chipped in with four catches for 40 yards.
But outside of that, the Cowboys’ aerial attack lacked the punch we’ve seen in their best performances. And with Pickens drawing so much attention - both from defenders and from the fanbase - the lack of production is becoming harder to overlook.
It’s especially notable given how much buzz surrounded Pickens when he arrived in Dallas via a high-profile trade last spring. He was electric out of the gate, building chemistry with Dak Prescott and quickly becoming a fan favorite. But now, as the Cowboys enter the final stretch of the regular season, questions are starting to mount.
What’s changed? Is it the coverages?
Is it the play design? Is it something else entirely?
It’s not just about stats - it’s about expectations. Pickens came to Dallas with the profile of a co-No. 1 receiver, and he’s played like it for most of the year. But with free agency looming and a potential $30 million-per-year price tag hovering in the background, these quiet games are starting to carry more weight.
The Cowboys reportedly plan to use the franchise tag on Pickens this offseason, which would lock him in at around $28 million and buy the front office more time to evaluate. Based on the last two weeks, they’ll need that time. Because right now, it’s hard to tell if this is a temporary slump or something more concerning.
To be clear, Pickens isn’t the only reason the Cowboys lost to Minnesota. But when you have a player of his talent, you expect more than 33 yards in a game where you’re chasing points. And when it happens two weeks in a row, it’s no longer just a blip - it’s a trend.
The next three games will be telling. Can the Cowboys adjust?
Can Schottenheimer scheme Pickens open? Can Prescott and Pickens reconnect the way they did earlier in the season?
There’s still time to right the ship, but the clock is ticking. And with the playoffs looming and Pickens’ contract situation on the horizon, the stakes are only getting higher.