George Pickens woke up to a very different reality. He had already learned what it was like to sit and wait for months to learn where he was going to move. Now, he has to pick up and move with seemingly a moment’s notice and only a hint after the Steelers added DK Metcalf sparked initial speculation over a possible trade.
Metcalf was added, and Pickens subsequently found himself headed south to join the Dallas Cowboys. Pickens has a reputation for making noise and causing disruption, making it seem that the Cowboys could be headed for drama.
NFL Analyst Takes Aim at George Pickens Narrative
Speaking on a May 7 edition of “Get Up” via Brandon Loree of “Blogging the Boys” on Twitter/X, NFL insider Peter Schrager spoke out about the reputation surrounding Pickens and why he believed it was wrong. Pickens is a well-liked player in the locker room despite all the unbridled emotion he shows on the field.
ESPN NFL analyst @PSchrags on the #Cowboys trading for George Pickens:
“I’ve talked to the Steelers folks. George Pickens is demonstrative on the field, but he is not an un-coachable player. In fact he does have a great way about him in the locker room and is very well liked in… pic.twitter.com/ljUt9JjVlG
— Brandon Loree (@Brandoniswrite) May 7, 2025
“I would like to correct some people, some people think that he is… a diva or he’s cantankerous,” Schrager said. “I talked to the Steelers, folks, George Pickens is demonstrative on the field, but he is not an uncoachable player. In fact, he does have a great way about him in the locker room, and he’s very well-liked in Pittsburgh.”
Of course, Pickens has not been quiet when things have not gone well on the field. He has spoken in the locker room and walked out of interviews before, so there’s video evidence of the receiver taking paths other than the clear-cut, straight, and narrow.
However, the most recent instance could be seen as the receiver protecting his quarterback at the time, Russell Wilson, against blowback. Pickens makes a point to ask the reporter, “That’s what he said? Or that’s what you said?” in a viral clip posted by Alan Saunders.
New Cowboys WR Ready To Partner With CeeDee Lamb
Either way, the past is in the past. Pickens’ attention turns away from the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Dallas Cowboys. It is worth noting that the Steelers traded away Pickens to an NFC team, which potentially could have been done to avoid having to play him in the playoffs, which serves as a compliment.
In Pittsburgh, Pickens was going to be forced to compete against Metcalf for targets. He’ll be fighting for target share in Dallas, too, as CeeDee Lamb headlines the depth chart at wide receiver. Even so, Pickens should find opportunity and new life with the Cowboys.
He’ll be the No. 2 option for quarterback Dak Prescott, and a very good one. Pickens has earned at least 800 yards every season while staring down the toughest cornerbacks in the NFL. His 18.1 yards-per-reception led the entire league in 2023.