George Pickens’ Future in Dallas Is Suddenly Cloudy After Another Quiet Outing
The Dallas Cowboys came into Week 15 needing a response - not just from the team as a whole, but from individual players looking to bounce back after a tough loss. One name circled in red?
George Pickens. After drawing heat for what many saw as a lack of effort in the previous week’s loss to Detroit, all eyes were on the talented wide receiver to see how he’d respond under pressure.
Instead, Pickens all but disappeared in the Cowboys’ home loss to the Minnesota Vikings. He managed just one catch for 10 yards through the first three quarters and finished with three grabs for 33 yards - his lowest total since Week 1.
One off-game isn’t the end of the world, but this wasn’t just a quiet stat line. It came with familiar concerns that have followed Pickens throughout his young career.
Effort and Attitude Questions Resurface
This wasn’t just about production. Once again, Pickens was seen running half-hearted routes and appearing disengaged on multiple plays. That’s not what you want from a player who was expected to be a key part of the offense - especially in a game the Cowboys needed to win.
When Dallas brought him in, they knew there was some baggage. Pickens’ time in Pittsburgh was marked by flashes of brilliance but also plenty of headlines for the wrong reasons.
Still, the Cowboys believed in the upside. Early on, it looked like a good fit.
He seemed more focused, more bought in, and Dallas appeared excited about the potential long-term pairing.
But now? After back-to-back underwhelming performances - at a time when the team is fighting for playoff positioning - those early hopes are starting to fade.
Ryan Flournoy’s Rise Complicates the Picture
While Pickens has been quiet, rookie Ryan Flournoy has been anything but. Over the past two games, Flournoy has hauled in 13 catches on 18 targets for 155 yards and a touchdown. In that same span, Pickens has eight receptions on 15 targets for just 70 yards.
Flournoy’s emergence as a reliable WR2 option has shifted the dynamic in the receiver room. He’s younger, cheaper, and showing the kind of consistency and effort that coaches love. And in a league where cap space is king, that matters.
The Contract Dilemma
Here’s where things get complicated. Pickens is nearing the end of his rookie deal, and projections have his next contract landing somewhere around $31 million per year. That’s elite money - and it comes with elite expectations, both on and off the field.
The Cowboys are already walking a financial tightrope. They’ve got three defensive linemen pulling in over $20 million annually, and CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott are both on massive deals.
Adding another $30+ million contract to the books? That’s a tough sell, especially for a player whose effort is being questioned at crunch time.
Letting Pickens walk would free up cap space that could be used to bolster multiple positions. It’s not just about the money - it’s about the value. If Pickens isn’t going to be a consistent, high-impact player, then the Cowboys may decide that those funds are better spent elsewhere.
Three Games to Change the Narrative
There’s still time for Pickens to flip the script. Three games remain in the regular season - three chances to show the front office, the coaching staff, and his teammates that he’s worth investing in.
The talent is there. No one questions that.
But talent alone doesn’t land you a long-term deal in today’s NFL. Effort, consistency, and trust - those are the currency teams value most.
If Pickens wants to stay in Dallas - and get paid like a top-tier receiver - he’s going to have to earn it down the stretch. Otherwise, the Cowboys may decide it’s time to move on.
And if they do, it won’t be because he had a bad game. It’ll be because when it mattered most, he didn’t show up the way they needed him to.