George Pickens didn’t wait long to stir the pot in Dallas. On Mother’s Day, the new Cowboys wide receiver found himself at the center of controversy after a viral social media comment ripped his former team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, as being “cheap.” The backlash from Steelers fans was immediate — and so was Pickens’ attempt to walk it back.
While Pickens insists the viral quote wasn’t from him — blaming artificial intelligence for what he called “straight lies” — his reputation for emotional outbursts and impulsive behavior has only made the claim harder to believe. The fallout has turned into a classic case of Pickens versus the world, as the former second-round pick once again makes headlines for the wrong reasons.
Cowboys WR George Pickens Rips Steelers Fans for Viral ‘Cheap’ Comment, Blames AI
The drama began when an alleged Pickens comment screenshot started making rounds online. In it, the verified 1.issue account appeared to blast the Steelers:
“They the cheapest organization. Ain’t no stacking year after year they gone let them (expletive) go too soon as it’s time Lmaoo.”
That message was taken as a direct shot at Pittsburgh’s long-standing practice of moving on from wide receivers before their second contract — a pattern that applied not just to Pickens but also to former names like Chase Claypool, Martavis Bryant, and Diontae Johnson.
But rather than own the comment, Pickens doubled back in an Instagram story, claiming the post was a fabrication.
“Literally on a plane. No service. Just landed and seen straight lies from Pitt fans,” Pickens wrote. “Stop with AI trying to make a story. I’m happy for everything the Steel City did for me. Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers out there.”
New #Cowboys WR George Pickens weighs in on #Steelers’ fans, via his IG stories: pic.twitter.com/mZBo2aeEVH
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report)
Pickens’ explanation drew mixed reactions. Some fans accepted the apology and appreciated his Mother’s Day sign-off. Others weren’t buying it — especially given his rocky tenure in Pittsburgh, which included sideline outbursts, questionable effort, and multiple public criticisms of the team’s offense.
In many ways, this incident encapsulates why the Steelers decided to move on. While Pickens flashed big-play potential in Pittsburgh, the organization ultimately chose stability over drama. In trading him to Dallas, the Steelers sent a message that no player — no matter how talented — is above the culture they’ve built under Mike Tomlin.
For the Cowboys, who traded for Pickens hoping to pair him with CeeDee Lamb and give Dak Prescott another weapon, the early returns already come with baggage. Whether Pickens can mature in Dallas remains to be seen. But Pittsburgh has moved on.