The Dallas Cowboys addressed a need Wednesday morning trading for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens. Dallas sends a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick to Pittsburgh in return for Pickens and a 2027 sixth-round pick. 

Wide receiver No. 2 in Dallas had been a position of need for the past couple of seasons. This past season, Lamb finished with 101 receptions, 1.194 yards, six touchdowns, and 11.8 yards per reception leading in every receiver category for Dallas.

In 2024, the Cowboys saw second-year receiver Jalen Tolbert step up with 49 receptions, 610 yards, and seven touchdowns on 79 targets, and KaVontae Turpin made 31 catches for 420 yards and two touchdowns. 

Jerry Jones and the Cowboys front office tried addressing the issue at the deadline last season by trading for Jonathan Mingo and a 2025 fifth-round pick from the Carolina Panthers in exchange for a 2025 fourth-round pick. Mingo finished the season with 17 receptions and 167 yards on a depleted Cowboys roster. 

Wednesday morning’s trade is one that suited both sides. Pickens grew frustrated this past season in Pittsburgh, making 59 receptions for 900 yards and three touchdowns, all a decline from his 2023 season stats. The decreased production Pickens had this past season also led to on-the-field antics that made him reflect his maturity. 

In week 13 of last season’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Pickens received two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, leading to a total fine of $20,462. In week five against Dallas, Pickens was late in the game. After being taunted by cornerback Jourdan Lewis, Pickens pulled Lewis’s face, bringing him to the ground after the play; Pickens was fined $10,230 for his actions. 

Pittsburgh parted ways with Pickens but still received a day two in return next season, along with a fifth in 2027. At the end of the season, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was asked about the effort side of Pickens’s game and dismissed the question. 

Having already traded for DK Metcalf, they will rely on the growth of second-year receiver Roman Wilson, whom they drafted last season from Michigan. The trade potentially affects Aaron Rodgers; with the departure of Pickens, Pittsburgh’s offensive weaponry weakens, but it also eliminates a partial distraction from the team. 

Win for Pickens

This is a win for Pickens, who starts fresh and goes to a place where he isn’t the number one option and won’t be drawing all the attention. He will have Dak Prescott, a quarterback who has been proven in the league, supply the needed targets to a deep vertical threat receiver like Pickens. 

In a season where Pickens will be playing for a contract, a fresh start might be enough of a motivation to play for more money. This season, Pickens is scheduled to make $3.6 million, and it will be interesting to see if Dallas offers a contract to Pickens, tags him, or just trades future draft capital for one season of his play. 

Now, with the addition, the Cowboys’ offense and Prescott’s weapons feature: 

–  WR Ceedee Lamb                      –  RB Miles Sanders 

WR George Pickens                   –  RB Javonte Williams 

WR Jalen Tolbert                        –  RB Deuce Vaughn 

WR Jonathan Mingo                  –  RB Jaydon Blue 

WR Jalen Brooks 

WR KaVontae Turpin

WR Parris Campbell 

TE Jake Ferguson 

There is no question Pickens brings a personality to any team he is on, and Brian Schottenheimer, in his first season at the helm for Dallas, will have to wonder how he will be able to handle Pickens if Tomlin, who has dealt with Antonio Brown, Chase Claypool, and Juju Smith-Schuster, isn’t able to solve Pickens. 

Nonetheless, Dallas addresses another need ahead of training camp and bolsters the Cowboys’ offense in what is anticipated to be a turnaround the Cowboys need following last season’s 7-10 finish.