The Dallas Cowboys’ offseason move to acquire George Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers is turning heads, and it’s clear Pickens is ready for a fresh start. After the Steelers’ playoff exit, there were whispers that Pickens might not be in their long-term plans, and it seems he felt the same way. A Steelers fan thread on X, formerly Twitter, highlighted Pickens’ lowlights, prompting a sharp response from the receiver. “Lmaooo. I play for cowboys bro stop reminiscing,” Pickens fired back. “And trying to justify the trade, yall just lost another good player to fake reports like this one.” Later, in a now-deleted tweet, Pickens admitted, “I forced buddy. They were gladly keeping me… have a nice day and a blessed one my guy.” It’s a clear sign that Pickens wanted out, and the Steelers obliged, sending him to Dallas for a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick.
The Steelers’ offseason has been anything but smooth. They’re still without a signed quarterback, despite drafting Will Howard and having Mason Rudolph on the roster. The lack of a veteran option is a concern, especially if they want to be competitive in 2025. For Pickens, though, the move to Dallas is a breath of fresh air. The Cowboys are excited about the upgrade to their wide receiver room, and Pickens is already making an impact. CeeDee Lamb, who’ll be sharing the field with him, couldn’t be happier. “Everything. His demeanor. Everything he brings to the table. Deep threat ability. Able to block. And just the energy he brings to the game,” Lamb said via Jon Machota of The Athletic. “We complement each other very well. … He hasn’t stopped smiling since he got here.” It’s a partnership that’s got fans dreaming big, with Lamb’s slot mastery and Pickens’ outside threat potentially unlocking a new level for the Cowboys’ offense.
Dak Prescott, who’ll be throwing to Pickens, is equally thrilled. “Huge. Huge. Yeah, very huge,” Prescott said via Calvin Watkins of Dallas News. “I mean looking at [the] guy’s tape, you see what he does, the kind of receiver he is. He’s going to win on one on ones. He can win two vs. one if he has to. Very, very talented guy. When you can add him alongside a CeeDee and the rest of the weapons we have, I’m super excited.” It’s a bold statement, but Pickens’ 2023 season—1,140 receiving yards and a strong 2.2 yards per route run—backs it up. The Cowboys are banking on that production, hoping Pickens can elevate an offense that’s been searching for a second receiver since Amari Cooper’s departure. For Pickens, it’s a chance to prove himself away from the drama in Pittsburgh, and for the Cowboys, it’s a move that could make them one of the best teams in the league in 2025. Stay tuned, because this story’s got all the makings of a comeback, and Pickens is ready to write the next chapter.
