The 2025 NFL regular season kicks off with the Dallas Cowboys taking on the Philadelphia Eagles, and all eyes are on one of Dallas’ biggest offseason moves: the addition of wide receiver George Pickens. Acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers back in May, Pickens now pairs with CeeDee Lamb to give the Cowboys one of the league’s most dangerous receiving duos.
Why Did the Pittsburgh Steelers Trade George Pickens?
Pickens was selected 52nd overall by the Steelers in the 2022 NFL Draft and quickly proved himself a productive receiver, posting 174 catches for 2,841 yards and 12 touchdowns across three seasons. His talent was never in question, but his behavior often was.
Reports indicated that Pickens required constant emotional management from coaches and teammates, with some describing his attitude as disruptive and draining. Incidents such as showing up late on Christmas Day, refusing to block for teammate Jaylen Warren, and visibly sulking during games eventually led the Steelers to decide they had seen enough.
On May 7, Pittsburgh shipped Pickens and a 2027 sixth-round pick to the Cowboys in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick.
Here’s George Pickens 195 YDS, 2 TD against the bengals.pic.twitter.com/O8ORVERDZf
— PickensSZN (@ThePickensSZN) May 24, 2025
For Dallas, it was a calculated gamble. Pairing Pickens with Lamb gives Dak Prescott one of the league’s most explosive receiving tandems, but it also comes with the challenge of managing a volatile personality.
For Pittsburgh, the trade was less about talent and more about culture, as the front office and coaching staff decided that moving on from Pickens was the best way to stabilize the locker room and reset their offense.
What Does Pickens Bring to the Dallas Cowboys?
The Cowboys have long searched for a reliable WR2, and Pickens fits the bill as the kind of physical, playmaking receiver they’ve been missing. He steps into an offense that consistently thrives in scoring territory, something he excels in as well.
With Prescott healthy, Dallas logged at least 65 red-zone trips in both 2021 and 2023. Only the Buffalo Bills with Josh Allen match that consistency, highlighting just how frequently this offense operates near the goal line.
This perfectly aligns with Pickens’ skill set. Every single touchdown he scored last season came inside the red zone, demonstrating his ability to convert high-value opportunities. His 28.6% target rate inside the 20-yard line represented a career high, proving he’s already established himself as a go-to option in crucial scoring situations.
While other receivers may struggle to earn consistent looks, Pickens is entering an offense designed to maximize his strengths. The only uncertainty is whether his maturity can match his talent. If it does, the Cowboys may have finally found the missing piece to elevate their passing game.
Cowboys-Eagles Week 1 Preview and Prediction
The Eagles and Cowboys will have their juices flowing on Thursday night in Philadelphia, as both teams enter the 2025 season with high expectations. Head coach Nick Sirianni will be tasked with leading a title defense charge, as opposing teams will have the Eagles circled on their calendars with hopes of taking down the reigning champion.
Dallas has been in the headlines recently, as they dealt away superstar pass rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers after deciding not to pay him top-of-the-line money despite his two All-Pro honors in four seasons. They got back three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark, who will aid in helping against the run.
That has been a significant deficiency for the Cowboys in recent years, as they allowed 137.1 rush yards per game (17th in the league) last season and 112.35 yards per game in 2023. That’s precisely where Philadelphia excels offensively, as they were second in the NFL last season in rushing for 179.3 yards per game.
Star running back Saquon Barkley is back after a banner 2024 campaign: 345 carries, 2,005 yards, and 13 touchdowns. He capped it off by running for 442 yards in the Eagles’ postseason run.
It’s hard to see a complete flip in the run-stopping abilities for Dallas, potentially spelling doom for them as the game wears on. Offensively, for the Cowboys, they’ll be heavily reliant on quarterback Dak Prescott and the pass game. Their running back room, headlined by former Denver Broncos’ Javonte Williams, is arguably the weakest unit on the roster.
Meanwhile, the wide receiver room has the potential to be the strongest, as they’ll trot out a star-studded duo of CeeDee Lamb (1,194 yards, six touchdowns last season) and newly acquired wide receiver George Pickens (900 yards, three touchdowns with the Pittsburgh Steelers).
Across from them will be a capable secondary in second-year cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. Both were key pieces in Philadelphia’s Super Bowl run and will be expected to step up even more with a second year in the organization. The Eagles’ wide receiver duo is no slouch as well. AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith combined for 1,912 yards and 15 touchdowns last season, giving quarterback Jalen Hurts two Pro Bowl-caliber receivers to throw to.
Throughout this game, several intriguing matchups are present. But looking beyond that at the overall depth between the two teams, Philadelphia wins out in a landslide. They’re far better in the trenches on both sides of the ball, have a much more talented secondary, and have potentially the best running game in the NFL.
The Eagles will open the season with a healthy dose of Barkley carries, running all over an undermanned Cowboys run defense. In front of a home crowd, Philadelphia runs away with this one in the second half.
Prediction: Eagles 27, Cowboys 13
