The Dallas Cowboys have shaken up the league with a bold trade, acquiring wide receiver George Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers. This move signals the Cowboys’ commitment to bolstering their offensive firepower, while also shedding light on the complicated relationship between Pickens and former Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis.
Lewis, who spent eight seasons in Dallas before joining the Jacksonville Jaguars this offseason, now seems relieved as he avoids what could have been an uncomfortable reunion with Pickens. The two had a tense exchange during a game earlier this season, when Pickens yanked Lewis’ facemask to the ground after the Cowboys secured a narrow 20-17 victory in Week 5. Their post-game interactions suggest that any lingering animosity remains unresolved. Lewis took to social media to imply that fate had smiled upon him, stating, “Confirmation, God wanted me in Jacksonville.”
In that same game, Lewis played a pivotal role by recovering a fumble that helped clinch the win for the Cowboys. His emotions got the better of him when he confronted Pickens on the field, leading to a fine for taunting. Meanwhile, the NFL’s disciplinary actions seemed to favor the Pittsburgh receiver more leniently compared to Lewis, who had words for Pickens in the locker room, calling him “weak” and suggesting the Steelers needed to find a more reliable receiver.
In a surprising turn, the Steelers heeded Lewis’s unfiltered assessment and made a significant move of their own, acquiring D.K. Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks and tying him to a hefty $132 million extension. This shift highlights the Steelers’ urgency to upgrade their receiving corps, especially after Pickens displayed some concerning trends this season, particularly as he entered the final year of his contract.
Just a week after an impressive showing where he racked up a season-high 113 receiving yards, Pickens struggled, managing only three catches on seven targets for just 26 yards against the Cowboys. Furthermore, his playing time dipped to a career-low, with him participating in just 58.6% of the team’s offensive snaps. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin defended the decision to limit Pickens’ time on the field, claiming it was to keep him fresh for game situations. However, this strategy raises questions about the young receiver’s reliability, particularly with his contract year approaching.
The trade finalized Wednesday saw the Steelers send a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Cowboys, alongside a sixth-rounder in 2026 in exchange for Pickens. Over his three seasons in Pittsburgh, Pickens accumulated 2,877 yards and 13 touchdowns, averaging an impressive 16.3 yards per catch. This infusion of talent could provide Dak Prescott with another dynamic weapon alongside standout receiver CeeDee Lamb, setting the Cowboys up for a potentially more explosive offense as they navigate the remainder of the season.
