George Pickens' Quiet Night Raises Questions, But His Season Still Speaks Loudly
The Dallas Cowboys' 44-30 loss to the Detroit Lions on Thursday night brought a lot of things into focus - and not all of them were pretty. One of the more glaring storylines?
George Pickens, the Cowboys' high-ceiling wideout, had a night to forget. Five catches for 37 yards just isn’t what you expect from a guy with star-level expectations, especially with CeeDee Lamb sidelined.
Former All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman didn’t hold back when breaking down Pickens’ performance. On the postgame broadcast, Sherman zeroed in on what he saw as a lack of effort - and that’s where things get tricky.
Stats can be deceiving. Effort?
That’s a different conversation.
“George Pickens throughout the game, especially late, just looked uninterested,” Sherman said. “If you’re gonna be a superstar, if you want to be the best receiver in the NFL, you can’t ever be disengaged. Doesn’t matter if the game’s going your way or not.”
That’s a strong statement from someone who’s been on the field and knows what it takes to compete at the highest level. And Sherman wasn’t just talking about one off night - he was pointing to the bigger picture.
With Pickens in a contract year, every snap matters. Every route, every block, every play - it’s all going on film.
And for a receiver reportedly eyeing top-tier money, Thursday’s showing didn’t help the case.
“You’re the guy. CeeDee Lamb is out.
You can’t be the guy and half-ass it,” Sherman continued. “If you’re the Cowboys, and you’re thinking about paying him $40 million, you’ve got to ask yourself - is this a guy we can trust to show up regardless of the circumstance?”
That’s the kind of question that front offices wrestle with all the time. Talent is easy to see.
Consistency? That’s the separator.
Now, to be fair, this isn’t the first time Pickens has drawn this kind of criticism. Back in his Pittsburgh days, there were flashes of brilliance, no doubt - but also moments where his body language and effort were questioned. That’s part of what led to the Steelers moving on and sending him to Dallas in a trade last May.
But let’s not forget - Pickens has been balling this season. He’s second in the league in receiving yards (1,179) and tied for third in touchdowns (8).
He’s gone over 100 yards four times. That’s not just solid production - that’s Pro Bowl-caliber stuff.
He’s been a big-play threat, a go-to option, and a major reason why the Cowboys' offense has remained explosive even with injuries piling up.
So yeah, Thursday night was rough. But one game doesn’t erase an entire season of impact.
Every player has a down week. The real test is how they respond.
If Pickens comes out next week with fire in his step and puts together a strong finish to the season, this Detroit game will fade into the background.
But if the effort questions linger - if the tape keeps showing a player who checks out when things get tough - then it becomes more than just a one-off. It becomes a pattern. And for a player looking to cash in, that’s the kind of thing that makes front offices hesitate.
The Cowboys know what they have in Pickens: a gifted receiver with elite upside. The question now is whether that upside comes with the consistency and attitude needed to be the guy - not just when things are going well, but when the grind sets in and the pressure’s on.
We’ll find out soon enough.