The Pittsburgh Steelers made a blockbuster trade when they sent George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys. Pickens is one of the more explosive personalities in the NFL, and his off-field attitude likely played a part in the deal.
The receiver recently spoke to the Dallas media and discussed his exit from Pittsburgh.
George Pickens Cites Business Side of NFL for His Trade out of Pittsburgh
Pickens was a second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft and was a steady producer in his three years with the Steelers. He totaled at least 52 catches and 800 yards in each season, and his best year was 2023 when he posted 63 receptions, 1,140 yards, and five touchdowns.
He was never given consistent quarterback play during his time in Pittsburgh, catching passes from Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky, Mason Rudolph, Justin Fields, and Russell Wilson. Pittsburgh’s offense finished No. 25 in PFSN’s Offense+ metric last year, and Pickens regressed to 59 catches, 900 yards, and three touchdowns.
The Georgia product has never been afraid of flying off the handle. Mike Tomlin and the Steelers tolerated his outbursts, including last year’s against the Cleveland Browns, but Pickens’ time in Pittsburgh ended with the team acquiring a third-round pick and a late-round pick swap.
Pickens joins a Dallas team going through its own offensive overhaul. Brian Schottenheimer moved from offensive coordinator to head coach after the Cowboys were No. 23 in PFSN’s Offense+ metric. The newest Cowboy recently spoke to the media and cleared the air on his departure from Pittsburgh.
A pair of tweets from Dallas insiders got Pickens’ thoughts across. The first comes from ESPN Cowboys reporter Todd Archer.
George Pickens on Mike Tomlin saying last season he needed to grow up: "Just taking one day at a time. I feel like everybody in the world is working on growing on their bettering of their self. I feel like growth for me is taking a great direction in me coming to the Cowboys.”
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher)
Archer tweeted, “George Pickens on Mike Tomlin saying last season he needed to grow up: ‘Just taking one day at a time. I feel like everybody in the world is working on growing on their bettering of their self. I feel like growth for me is taking a great direction in me coming to the Cowboys.'”
Pickens’ attitude must have played into the trade decision. He never developed into a game-changing WR1, but Steeler fans thought they had a dynamic receiving duo pairing him with DK Metcalf.
The Athletic’s Jon Machota tweeted out more of the receiver’s comments.
New Cowboys WR George Pickens on what led to things not working out in Pittsburgh: "This game is just as much a business as it is football. It's kinda like out of my control. I'm glad to be here in Dallas and able to continue the winning culture that they have."
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota)
Machota tweeted, “New Cowboys WR George Pickens on what led to things not working out in Pittsburgh: ‘This game is just as much a business as it is football. It’s kinda like out of my control. I’m glad to be here in Dallas and able to continue the winning culture that they have.'”
Pickens seems excited to join the Cowboys, and Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb should benefit most from his arrival. Prescott got off to a slow start in 2024, and his season was cut short by a Week 9 hamstring injury. He threw for just 1,978 yards, 11 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in eight games.
Lamb was a first-team All-Pro in 2023 after posting 135 catches, 1,749 yards, and 12 scores, but he regressed to just 101 receptions, 1,194 yards, and six touchdowns. He’s been searching for running mate and might have just found one in Pickens.
The Cowboys face an uphill climb in the tough NFC East, but this trade could change their outlook for 2025. Dan Orlovsky expects them to be better than what people think, but Pickens and company will have to prove it on the field.
