George Pickens Excited for New Chapter with Cowboys After Steelers Trade

FRISCO, Texas — Wide receiver George Pickens expressed excitement over his recent trade to the Dallas Cowboys from the Pittsburgh Steelers, highlighting his desire to contribute to the team’s winning culture. In a conference call with reporters Thursday, Pickens described the atmosphere in Dallas as positive, saying, “I like the mojo here. I like the swag. I feel like they have a great thing going for sure.”

The Cowboys acquired Pickens, 24, along with a 2027 sixth-round pick in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick. Pickens is the only NFL receiver to average at least 16 yards per reception while also accumulating over 2,000 receiving yards in the past three seasons, according to ESPN Research.

During his time in Pittsburgh, he caught passes from various quarterbacks and earned the title of the Steelers’ number one receiver over the last two seasons. Notably, Pickens averaged 16.7 yards per reception, showcasing his ability to stretch the field. He expressed eagerness to work with Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, saying, “I’m grateful to play with Dak. He’s a very prolific and smart quarterback, so I’m just glad to be working with him.”

As he begins his tenure with the Cowboys, Pickens is focused on his role in the team. Despite inquiries about whether he sees himself as a No. 1 or No. 2 receiver, he dismissed the labels, emphasizing the importance of teamwork. “There’s no, ‘he gets the ball, I get the ball.’ We’re working off each other,” Pickens noted. His familiarity with teammate CeeDee Lamb from off-season training further bolsters his belief in a shared mission.

Pickens also addressed challenges from his past in Pittsburgh, where coach Mike Tomlin emphasized the need for personal growth after some on-field incidents. “I can’t really change anyone’s opinion of me personally. I just continue to grow,” he said. This outlook aligns with his ambitions to build on the Cowboys’ successful culture.

With the 2025 NFL season on the horizon, Pickens is set to enter the final year of his rookie contract. While contract talks are not a primary concern for him at the moment, his future with the Cowboys remains uncertain. “I’m kind of where my feet are right now, to be honest,” he said. “I’m just glad to be with the Cowboys right now, trying to build a winning culture.”