The Dallas Cowboys are no strangers to making headlines. They made another splash when they acquired George Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers in a trade on May 7.
However, despite the big move, one ESPN host isn’t buying that this move puts the Cowboys over the top.
Stephen A. Smith Rips Dallas After Pickens Trade
“Congratulations to the Cowboys,” said Stephen A. Smith on ‘First Take.’ “I’m sure it looks good on paper as it always does.”
“They’re going to go back to teasing us into believing that they’re relevant,” Smith added.
"Congratulations to the Cowboys. I'm sure it looks good on paper as it always does. … They're going to go back to teasing us into believing that they're relevant."
—@stephenasmith reacts to the Steelers trading George Pickens to the Cowboys 😅 pic.twitter.com/1EFgHx15DB
— First Take (@FirstTake)
In acquiring Pickens, Dallas filled a huge need, finding someone to pair on the outside with CeeDee Lamb. Dak Prescott now has another weapon to throw to, and new head coach Brian Schottenheimer has another player to scheme up plays for.
The trade was “Pickens and a 2027 6th-round pick from the Steelers in exchange for a 2026 3rd-round pick and a 2027 5th-round pick,” said ESPN senior NFL insider Adam Schefter.
Cowboys now say they have agreed to terms to acquire WR George Pickens and a 2027 6th-round pick from the Steelers in exchange for a 2026 3rd-round pick and a 2027 5th-round pick. pic.twitter.com/vqwjblb9v2
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter)
Pickens caught 59 passes for 900 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 15.3 yards per reception in 14 regular-season games in 2024.
He is in the final year of his rookie contract, and the Cowboys will have a decision to make with Pickens after the 2025 season. With Micah Parsons still awaiting an extension, and Lamb and Prescott already locked up long-term, it remains to be seen if the team can pay all four lucrative contracts. If the team can’t work out a deal, the franchise tag could also be a possibility.
Whether Pickens is a one-year rental remains to be seen, but for now, Dallas got a significant upgrade to its wide receiver room.
What Does the Pickens Trade Mean for the Steelers?
The Steelers entered the offseason with a major need at the wide receiver position, but upon trading for DK Metcalf, it appeared they had solved that problem. However, after trading Pickens, the team is back in the same place, but the NFL Draft has already passed, so that rules out a way to fill the need.
Pickens and Metcalf are similar receivers. Their strengths are their ability to stretch the field and make contested catches. Combine their similarities with the fact that Pittsburgh would have had to sign him to an extension, and it’s easy to see why the Steelers moved on.
However, the timing is perplexing and leaves the Steelers as a team that could be in the market for a wide receiver. In addition, they are already a team that is potentially in the market for a quarterback upgrade.
“With Pittsburgh now needing a No. 2 receiver (and with Aaron Rodgers likely on the way), Allen Lazard is ‘in play’ to be traded from the Jets to the Steelers,” said Mike Florio.
Lazard played with Rodgers both with the Green Bay Packers and the New York Jets, so it would certainly make sense if Rodgers were interested in playing with Lazard once again.
As for other options, Keenan Allen and Amari Cooper remain unsigned and could be potential free-agent options.
The Pickens trade was a blockbuster, and while it answers questions for both sides, it creates just as many questions for either team. Only time will tell how this move shakes out for both sides, but both teams will be worth monitoring as the season approaches.
