The Pittsburgh Steelers finally put George Pickens out of his misery, trading him to the Dallas Cowboys shortly after the draft. The move didn’t come as a surprise. The former Georgia Bulldog had long shown visible frustration in Pittsburgh, and his antics — both on and off the field — made it increasingly difficult for the organization to keep him, especially after acquiring DK Metcalf.
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Now, the former second-round pick has a fresh start and a real chance to revive his career in Dallas, where the spotlight will be even brighter. But getting Pickens for just a third-round pick was savvy business for America’s Team.
The Cowboys needed a reliable second option to complement their superstar WR1, CeeDee Lamb, and Pickens fits that bill. Though he was WR1 in Pittsburgh, he’ll have to settle for the WR2 role in Texas.
Then again, with better quarterback play and a more pass-heavy offense, he’s bound to see more targets and opportunities than he ever did in the Steelers’ sluggish system. And Pickens has the talent to be a WR1 on any team. Even Lamb agrees.
The Oklahoma alum recently said, “We’re both ones.” That comment shouldn’t be taken as ego at play — Lamb simply meant they both have the mindset and skillset to be top guys.
Chad Johnson also doesn’t see any issue with Lamb and Pickens occupying the Dallas QB room. He believes the Cowboys’ offense will thrive with both on the field.
Johnson is adamant that Pickens’ struggles in Pittsburgh weren’t about talent — they were about usage. According to him, people keep remembering the things the UGA Alum didn’t do in Pittsburgh.
” I told you they both were ones. Now, that everybody can’t do, they can’t take out head-on vision. They are thinking about everything Pickens was doing when he was in Pittsburgh. I would be frustrated, too,” said Ocho.
Shannon Sharpe nodded in agreement. Ocho added: “I’m talking about being in a new environment, a new scenery with a good QB that can get you the ball, and they’re going to use him. There’s not going to be any problems, and he’s telling the truth. The Bengals, Eagles got two number ones. They are going to be all right.”
That said, before Dallas can fully unleash him, they’ll have to sort out the baggage he brings. If they don’t set boundaries, there’s a real risk that the same issues from Pittsburgh — and even Georgia — will follow him to Texas.
Pickens has long been a walking red flag when it comes to behavior. He showed up late to the Steelers’ Christmas Day game, flipped off Colts fans, and once appeared on the field with a profane message scrawled under his eyes.
He’s had sideline meltdowns where he yelled at coaches and teammates, and his unwillingness to block for others didn’t go unnoticed. In 2024 alone, Pickens racked up over $80,000 in fines for various offenses: unnecessary roughness, unsportsmanlike conduct, two postgame fights, and more. That’s not just immaturity — that’s a pattern.
It will be fascinating to see how he settles into his new role in Dallas. Maybe, if the Cowboys keep him involved and happy on the field, the drama will fade.
Pickens insists he is focusing on being more mature now, and joining the Cowboys is a chance to turn the page. But as the saying goes, a tiger doesn’t change its stripes — and if his past is any indication, neither does a Georgia Bulldog.
