George Pickens’ Rollercoaster Season: Talent, Tension, and a Tough Decision Ahead for the Cowboys
When the Dallas Cowboys acquired George Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers, it looked like a steal. Through the first 14 weeks of the season, Pickens has been electric-hauling in clutch catches, racking up yards after the catch, and showing flashes of the elite playmaking ability that once made him a rising star in Pittsburgh.
But as the season wears on, the shine is starting to wear off. Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions served as a stark reminder of why the Steelers were willing to move on from such a gifted receiver in the first place.
With CeeDee Lamb sidelined early due to a concussion, the Cowboys needed Pickens to step up and shoulder the load. Instead, what they got was a performance that raised more questions than answers.
Pickens looked disengaged-running half-hearted routes, showing little urgency, and committing a costly facemask penalty that wiped out a key gain. What could have been a promising first-and-10 at Detroit’s 34-yard line turned into a second-and-25 back at Dallas’ 42.
That’s not just a momentum killer-it’s the kind of mistake that frustrates coaches and teammates alike.
And this isn’t new. The Steelers didn’t trade Pickens just because of on-field inconsistency.
There were red flags-discipline issues, lapses in focus, and a pattern of questionable decision-making. Since arriving in Dallas, similar concerns have started to surface.
Most recently, Pickens was benched for missing the team bus, a move that raised eyebrows inside and outside the building.
Now, the Cowboys are learning what Pittsburgh already knew: talent alone isn’t always enough. Pickens is unpredictable week to week.
One game, he’s torching corners and making highlight-reel grabs. The next, he’s a non-factor or worse-hurting the team with avoidable mistakes.
And with a big-money contract looming this offseason, Dallas faces a major decision.
Pickens is expected to push for a deal north of $30 million annually. That’s elite receiver money-and while he has the talent to justify the price tag on paper, the inconsistency and off-field concerns make it a risky investment. Especially when you consider that the Cowboys are already preparing to pay CeeDee Lamb, who has proven himself as the clear-cut WR1 and a cornerstone of the offense.
Committing that much cap space to two receivers would be a bold move, and perhaps not the wisest one, given the team’s other needs. The Cowboys have holes to fill-on the offensive line, in the secondary, and potentially at running back. Spreading the money around may be the more strategic play.
So what’s the move? One option that makes sense: use the franchise tag on Pickens.
That buys Dallas another year to evaluate him without locking into a long-term deal. It also preserves his trade value.
If the Cowboys aren’t convinced he’s part of their future, flipping him for draft capital in the offseason could be the smarter route. That would give them financial flexibility and a chance to find a more reliable No. 2 receiver-someone who complements Lamb and fits the culture Mike McCarthy is trying to build.
Pickens’ ceiling is high. There’s no denying that.
But the Cowboys have to ask themselves a tough question: is the upside worth the volatility? With the postseason approaching and big roster decisions looming, Dallas will need to weigh talent against trust-and figure out whether George Pickens is a long-term fit or just a short-term flash.