The George Pickens trade raised eyebrows when it went down in May - and for good reason. The Steelers sent their explosive young wideout and a 2027 sixth-round pick to the Cowboys in exchange for a 2026 third-rounder and a 2027 fifth-round pick.
On paper, it looked like a classic “change of scenery” deal. But behind the scenes, there’s been plenty of chatter suggesting this move had Mike Tomlin’s fingerprints all over it.
Fueling that speculation? A viral moment on social media involving Tomlin’s son, Dino. A fan posted a screenshot of a TikTok exchange on X (formerly Twitter), showing a comment asking Dino how he felt about “your dad trading the best WR in the NFL for a third-round pick?”
Dino didn’t directly respond to the question - but he did engage. He liked a comment from another user that said, “buddy he’s not talkin football at all,” and replied with a cryptic message: “Let them be corny… peep my other vids there’s a war! You’re on outside.”
It’s not exactly a denial, and it certainly didn’t do much to quiet the noise around the trade.
Pickens, a second-round pick in 2022, flashed plenty of star potential during his time in Pittsburgh. He racked up over 2,800 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns across three seasons, carving out a reputation as a big-play threat with elite body control and highlight-reel grabs.
But his time with the Steelers wasn’t without friction. There were persistent concerns about his maturity, both on and off the field - something the coaching staff reportedly kept close tabs on.
The Steelers’ offseason acquisition of D.K. Metcalf only added more context. With another physical, vertical threat now in the fold, it’s fair to wonder whether the front office saw Pickens as expendable - or whether this was a locker room chemistry decision as much as a football one.
Whatever the motivation, the Cowboys are reaping the benefits.
Pickens has been a force in Dallas this season, leading the team in receptions (73), receiving yards (1,142), and touchdowns (8). And after being limited earlier in the week with calf and knee issues, he’s officially been cleared to play in Thursday’s primetime showdown against the Lions. That’s a huge boost for a Cowboys offense that’s leaned heavily on his ability to stretch the field and win contested catches.
As for the rest of the Cowboys’ injury picture heading into the Week 14 clash, it’s a mixed bag.
Cornerback Trevon Diggs, who’s been working his way back from a knee injury, won’t suit up after being limited in practice all week. Rookie offensive tackle Tyler Guyton has also been ruled out after not practicing at all.
There are a couple of key defenders listed as questionable: Jadeveon Clowney (hamstring) and Malik Hooker (back) were both limited on Wednesday. Their availability will likely come down to how they feel during pregame warmups.
On the plus side, several players who had been on the injury report earlier in the week have been cleared. That includes offensive tackle Hakeem Adeniji, cornerbacks DaRon Bland and Caelen Carson, defensive ends Dante Fowler and James Houston, defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa, wide receiver KaVontae Turpin, and safety Donovan Wilson.
Bottom line: the Cowboys are getting healthier at the right time - and with Pickens back in the lineup, they’ll be at full strength at the skill positions. Against a tough Lions defense, that could make all the difference.