Dallas Cowboys’ new wide receiver George Pickens envisions a promising future in his partnership with quarterback Dak Prescott and star receiver CeeDee Lamb, following his trade from the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“I feel like, tactically, they won’t be able to double-team everybody, so that’ll be great for me and him,” Pickens commented during a conference call with Dallas media on Thursday.
George Pickens
The Cowboys acquired Pickens and a 2027 sixth-round pick in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick, securing the only NFL receiver who has averaged at least 16 yards per reception and has had at least 2,000 receiving yards in the last three seasons.
In his first three seasons with the Steelers, Pickens caught passes from Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky, Mason Rudolph, Justin Fields, and Russell Wilson. In 2023, Prescott led the NFL with 36 touchdown passes, although he missed eight games due to a hamstring injury that required surgery.
“Dak was one of the first people I definitely got in contact with,” Pickens said. “Just watching his game over the years, he’s a very prolific quarterback. A smart quarterback. I’m excited to work with him.”
George Pickens
Although Prescott will have some limitations in the preseason program, he has done throwing sessions with his receivers. Pickens plans to move to Texas full-time as soon as he finds a place to live and a vehicle.
Pickens has said he will accept any role presented to him, but he hasn’t paid much attention to the label of receivers like No. 1a and 1b or No. 2. Lamb has achieved over 100 receptions in three consecutive seasons and has four straight seasons of 1,000 yards.
“Honestly, it’s the first time I’ve heard all of that. I feel like having two good receivers is something normal,” Pickens said. “When I used to watch football, there was always a good receiver and there was always another good receiver on the other side. I feel like we’re going to work really well with each other.”
George Pickens
Pickens’ time in Pittsburgh was marked by several on-field incidents that led Steelers coach Mike Tomlin to say he needed to “mature” last season.
“Just living one day at a time. I feel like everybody in the world is working to grow and get better,” he said. “I feel like the growth for me is taking a great direction coming to the Cowboys.”
George Pickens
Pickens, 24, said he found out about the trade, “when everyone else found out,” but he knew there were conversations about the trade, although he did not request one.
“I really can’t change anyone’s opinion of me personally. Like I said, I’m going to keep growing,” Pickens said. “I feel like everybody in the world has to grow. You get older and older as you grow. Like I said, I’m just trying to build a winning culture, which they already have in the Cowboys. I’m glad to join it.”
George Pickens
Pickens is entering the final year of his rookie contract, as are other key Cowboys veterans such as outside linebacker Micah Parsons, cornerback DaRon Bland, and tight end Jake Ferguson.
“To be honest, I am where I am now,” Pickens said. “I’m really not thinking about contract negotiations. I’m happy to be here with the Cowboys right now.”
George Pickens
