Todd Archer
FRISCO, Texas — Dak Prescott's go virtually appeared to scrape the AT&T Stadium roof, it was so excessive.
George Pickens' eyes by no means left the soccer, however he might sense Inexperienced Bay Packers cornerback Nate Hobbs close by and security Evan Williams sprinting from the center of the sector.
Pickens jumped, received his palms across the go, outdueling each defenders, and someway managed to get his ft down for a 29-yard completion to the 1-yard line. Two performs later the Dallas Cowboys had their first landing in Sunday night time's 40-40 tie.
It was a play Pickens had made many occasions earlier than, both at Georgia or in his first three years with the Pittsburgh Steelers, however it carried added significance as a result of Sunday was the primary time he was the Cowboys' No. 1 receiver.
CeeDee Lamb was a spectator due to a excessive left ankle sprain, however he was giddy on the sideline when Pickens made the catch.
“Attempting to make performs for Dak with CeeDee out,” Pickens mentioned merely after the sport.
Lamb's absence elevates not solely Pickens' standing within the Cowboys' offense, but in addition his possibilities to indicate the remainder of the league what he could be, ought to he turn out to be an unrestricted free agent in March.
However Pickens mentioned that does not imply something to him.
“You bought to recollect it is a staff recreation,” Pickens mentioned. “This isn't like one-on-one basketball the place it is simply me and one other participant. It is a staff recreation.”
oh my george 🤯
📺: #GBvsDAL on NBC
📲: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/RmDxAeCG4M pic.twitter.com/thV6kPzn6s— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) September 29, 2025
When the Cowboys acquired Pickens from the Steelers in Could, the acquisition was hailed as a powerful transfer so as to add a prime risk reverse Lamb to maximise Prescott. Nevertheless it additionally got here with a warning.
Pickens was thought of a headache due to on- and off-field habits that grated on the Steelers group. Coach Mike Tomlin mentioned Pickens wanted to “develop up” after a recreation final season.
The tales had been so ample that Prescott was on look ahead to warning indicators after Pickens joined the Cowboys. All through the offseason, Prescott stored speaking about Pickens' work ethic and a focus to element. Tight finish Jake Ferguson mentioned, “I simply see him as a superb dude.” Talking on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas on Tuesday, Cowboys proprietor and normal supervisor Jerry Jones mentioned Pickens has been an “exemplary teammate.”
On the time of the commerce, coach Brian Schottenheimer mentioned he spoke with folks within the Steelers group in addition to folks at Georgia, the place he spent one yr as an assistant coach, about Pickens. He mentioned he was instructed “various things.”
Like?
“How a lot he liked soccer. He likes to play the sport. You may need to cope with him being late sometimes and a few issues like that, which typically all of us oversleep,” Schottenheimer mentioned. “However for probably the most half it was all optimistic. The those that we spoke to in and across the league, in Pittsburgh and Georgia, they had been very sincere. I feel that is the cool factor about this league. Individuals are sincere and it's important to watch out. Whether or not it is good or unhealthy info, you do your homework and that is a part of the method. It is not the one course of.
“The minute I sat down with George Pickens in my workplace … it was very clear to me, this man was fired as much as be a Dallas Cowboy and excited to assist us go win video games.”
ARE YOU KIDDING GEORGE
📺: #GBvsDAL on NBC
📲: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/RmDxAeCG4M pic.twitter.com/TVN0U3MMg4— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) September 29, 2025
Towards the Packers, Pickens completed with eight catches for 134 yards and two touchdowns. The touchdowns matched a single-game excessive, and the yards had been the second most of his profession.
He has a landing catch in every of the previous three video games and 4 on the season, tied for fourth within the NFL.
In Pittsburgh, he confirmed the power to make troublesome catches. He believes he's both going to make the catch, “whether or not it is two, three, 4 or 5 guys” on him, or draw a go interference flag. However he believes he has been capable of present a fuller route tree in Dallas as a result of he's requested to do extra issues.
“It is an ideal alternative,” Pickens mentioned. “Type of like I've already showcased, however I simply need to present up for Dak, present up for the staff.”
At one in every of their first organized staff exercise practices in Could, Prescott defined the timing he needs on a sure route. A couple of performs later, the 2 linked on that route. Final week, Prescott mentioned he and Pickens had some miscommunication in apply, which led to a quick dialog. Pickens adopted together with his finest recreation as a Cowboy three days later.
“No surprises actually. I am tremendous happy with him. He performed simply as I anticipated him to play,” Prescott mentioned after Sunday's recreation. “And what I used to be most impressed about is simply the best way that he was targeted and locked in within the recreation, the entire recreation.
“And never solely simply locked in doing every little thing that he wanted to do and do it proper, however simply the conversations he is having within the huddle. Uplifting different guys, saying the fitting issues to maintain guys targeted and maintain guys staying within the second and being current. And never solely was he saying it, he was doing it himself and being an instance.”
All of it may sound shocking to listen to for folks in Pittsburgh or for individuals who shaped their opinion earlier than Pickens got here to the Cowboys. Perhaps a part of it has to do with this being a contract yr and needing to be on his finest habits, however the Cowboys are nice reaping the profit and can stay open to holding Pickens past 2025.
Pickens is conscious of the narrative some have about him, however altering it would not drive him.
“I need it to undoubtedly be good, yeah,” he mentioned. “It is out of my management. I do not actually journey on it.”
