Jerry Jones Stands Firm Behind George Pickens Amid Effort Criticism
After a frustrating 44-30 loss to the Detroit Lions, the spotlight turned not just to the Dallas Cowboys' playoff hopes, but to wide receiver George Pickens - and not for the reasons he’d prefer. Pickens faced a wave of criticism for what some saw as a lack of effort on a pair of key plays during the nationally televised Thursday night game. But if there’s any doubt about where Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones stands, he cleared that up quickly.
Speaking Tuesday on Dallas sports radio station 105.3 The Fan, Jones didn’t just defend his wideout - he doubled down on his belief in Pickens’ competitive fire.
“One of the things that you got to appreciate about George Pickens is his intensity for the competition,” Jones said. “Now, he is a big-time competitor.
When it comes to competing and when it comes to loving the game... I give him A-pluses.”
That’s not just lip service from the man who signs the checks. It’s a clear vote of confidence in a player who, despite the noise around him, has been one of the league’s most productive receivers this season.
The Plays in Question
Pickens drew heat for two specific moments in the loss to Detroit. On one play, a pass that bounced off his hands turned into a Lions interception - and critics pointed to a lack of urgency in trying to secure the ball. Later, with the Cowboys chasing points late in the fourth quarter, Pickens got behind the defense but didn’t make a serious attempt to track down a deep throw, which fell incomplete.
Former All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman didn’t hold back on the Prime Video postgame show, calling Pickens “uninterested in playing football.” Pickens initially acknowledged he “can’t just disappear” in games, but later fired back at Sherman on social media - a move that sparked even more debate.
Inside the Locker Room
First-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer revealed Monday that he and Pickens had a conversation about both the plays and the postgame fallout. It’s clear the Cowboys are handling this internally, and Jones made it known he’s not losing sleep over it.
“I like what George Pickens has done all year,” Jones said. “Just so that I’m real clear about it, I don’t have the concern that (others) debate about what George Pickens did or didn’t do in that game. I don’t have that kind of concern about him as far as his competing and helping us win football games on the field, at all.”
That’s a strong endorsement, especially at a time when the Cowboys - sitting at 6-6-1 - are fighting for their postseason lives. With three teams ahead of them in the NFC wild-card race, every game from here on out feels like a must-win.
Numbers Don’t Lie
For all the chatter about effort, Pickens’ production speaks volumes. He enters Week 15 ranked third in the NFL in receiving yards (1,179), seventh in receptions (78), and tied for fifth in touchdown catches (8). Those are elite numbers, especially for a player in a contract year.
The Cowboys are expected to retain him beyond this season, with reports indicating they’ll prevent him from hitting the open market in March 2026. And based on how Jones talks about him, that’s not just a business decision - it’s a belief in Pickens’ long-term value to this team.
“Pickens brings everything to the table,” Jones said. “He brings enough pluses to the table to frankly live with what’s going on, this type of criticism.
The criticism in my mind is, is he a competitor, and when he gets out there, can he come down with the ball? Does he compete when he’s out there?
A-triple-plus.”
What’s Next
The Cowboys return home this Sunday night to face the 5-8 Minnesota Vikings in a game that could swing their playoff chances one way or the other. As of Tuesday, Dallas is a six-point favorite, according to DraftKings Sportsbook.
For Pickens, the best way to quiet the noise is simple: make plays. And based on his track record this season - and his owner’s unwavering support - don’t be surprised if he does exactly that.