George Pickens Emerges as Star Receiver for Dallas Cowboys Amid Contract Uncertainty

George Pickens of the Pittsburgh Steelers is obviously one of the hottest rookie wide receivers in the league. The team acquired him from the Pittsburgh Steelers for a third-round pick in 2026, a fifth-round pick in 2027 and a sixth-round pick in 2027. It’s worked out beautifully for both the Cowboys and Pickens. He’s got 73 receptions for 1,142 yards—2nd in the NFL—and eight touchdowns (3rd in the league).

With Pickens’ performance, one of the best trade candidates has become one of the most surprising performances. The talented wide receiver is hoping to remain with the club. So far, he hasn’t made a peep on the next round of contract negotiations. Even the loudest motorcycle seems muted after a chaotic recent history in Pittsburgh. My players and assistant coaches started to complain about lack of punctuality and unsportsmanlike behavior at the same time.

So far in Pickens’ arrival to Dallas, the story has been one of quickly getting acclimated to what has become an exhilarating offensive scheme. On the field, he’s developed an instant chemistry with fellow receiver CeeDee Lamb. Together, they’ve combined to become one of the best receiving duos in the NFL. Offensive Coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and quarterback Dak Prescott have been public supporters of Pickens. As for the Cowboys’ end, they seem intent on locking him up as a franchise cornerstone.

Pickens’ previous issues are surely on the Cowboys organization’s radar. They’ve pointed to his lateness penalties and sideline temper tantrums, which are reminiscent to many of former Cowboys wideout Dez Bryant. A tale of two Pittsburghs Concerns grew while Pickens was living in Pittsburgh. Inside the Cowboys, those sources have seen a player who has worked his tail off and taken accountability since being added to the team.

Cowboys’ sources took shots at Pickens’ history as a distraction. They went on to explain that even though he occasionally forgets to board team buses or shows up late, the organization recognizes his immense talent and upside enough to look past these trivial transgressions.

“He might miss a team bus or be late on occasion, but [the Cowboys] can live with that.” – Cowboys source

As he gears up to go into the offseason, contract negotiations are sure to be atop the Cowboys priority list. Pickens is angling for a big one, that could go beyond $30 million annually. If they fail to work out a long-term agreement by July 15, 2026, he can be tagged with the franchise tag. This tag will likely be in the range of $27-$28 million.

This speaks volumes about his desire to stay committed on the field, as compared to the business of football.

“I kind of leave that stuff to my agent.”

Beyond his performance on the field, Pickens has demonstrated an off-the-field dedication to his teammates, as well as to the city of Dallas. He’s said all the right things about wanting to keep working with Lamb, Prescott and other essential personnel on offense.

His dynamic with Lamb has thrived, as he told one outlet that Lamb’s passionate, fiery energy is infectious and mesmerizing.

“I’d love to be back with bro [Lamb], especially him, Dak, all the guys really.” – George Pickens

>Though he had a history with former Texas teammate Jourdan Lewis after bodying him in practice their final year at Michigan, Pickens says that he feels accepted in Dallas. Our hope is that this acceptance can be a big factor in his continued growth as a player and teammate.

“His energy is so vibrant, it kind of gravitates to me and bro, CeeDee.” – George Pickens

The coaching staff has seen that Pickens has trouble controlling himself during games. Alongside this has been their testimony of his remarkable progress and development over time. Schottenheimer remarked on this balance:

Pickens’ previous problems with timeliness have been blamed on multiple distractions that are said to have distracted him. One player source pointed out that a lot of these issues were rooted in his tenure in Pittsburgh.

“You try to play on the edge and not go over the edge, and he’s kind of right here often.” – Brian Schottenheimer

Now that he is with the Cowboys, though, Pickens is determined to do just that, and capitalize on this opportunity. He’s poised to have an outsized impact on his new ecosystem. The Cowboys will continue to find the best ways to help him in the future. That’s their real objective, to help him flourish beyond the game on and off the field.

“That’s where a lot of the issues from Pittsburgh stem from.” – Player source

Now that he is in a new environment with the Cowboys, Pickens appears committed to making the most of this opportunity. The Cowboys will likely evaluate how they can support him moving forward to ensure he continues to thrive both on and off the field.