On May 7, the Dallas Cowboys made a significant offseason move by trading with the Pittsburgh Steelers to acquire wide receiver George Pickens. This bold decision by team owner Jerry Jones addresses the long-standing need for a reliable WR2 to complement CeeDee Lamb. At 24 and entering the final year of his rookie contract, Pickens has a strong incentive to focus on his performance for the Cowboys.
Since joining the Dallas Cowboys, Pickens has expressed his intention to focus solely on the future, avoiding his past with the Steelers. However, after the Steelers traded safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Miami Dolphins—a deal that brought cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith to Pittsburgh—Pickens appeared to take a subtle shot at his former team. Tagging Fitzpatrick in an Instagram story, he wrote,
Super happy for you broski !!!!!! Back to beautiful places in life lol.
This message indicates a pointed contrast between his current outlook and his time with the Steelers.
Pickens’ history of on-field intensity and incidents
George Pickens has never been known for his subtlety, as his history both in college and the NFL shows. The Georgia Bulldogs alumnus gained attention not only for his talent but also for his fiery temper. One of the most memorable moments of his college career was a physical altercation with Georgia Tech cornerback Tre Swilling, where the dispute escalated dramatically in the end zone.
His professional tenure with the Steelers was marked by recurring disciplinary issues, including penalties for illegal blindside blocks, facemask grabs, and unsportsmanlike conduct like taunting and offensive gestures. Pickens also drew attention for writing profane messages on his eye black during games—some of which were against Dallas—and even had confrontations with fans on the sidelines. Beyond behavioral problems, Pickens openly criticized how Pittsburgh utilized him in their passing game.
Cowboys fans hope Pickens embraces a fresh start
Despite the apparent jab at the Steelers, it is important to view Pickens’ comments within the larger context of his move and mindset. While his Instagram story may seem too pointed to ignore, it might not carry serious weight beyond expressing happiness for Minkah Fitzpatrick’s new opportunity. However, Cowboys supporters have reason to be watchful, hoping that Pickens genuinely commits to leaving behind the conflicts and frustrations from his time in Pittsburgh.
With training camp approaching, the expectation is that Pickens will focus on integrating into the Cowboys’ offense and proving himself as the dependable WR2 the team has needed for years. His success could be a turning point not only for his career but also for the Cowboys’ wide receiver corps in the upcoming NFL season.