George Pickens has spent much of the season proving he can be a true No. 1 receiver, but his latest big game stirred up unexpected backlash from a former Kansas City Chiefs player.
After the Dallas Cowboys outlasted the Chiefs on Thanksgiving, Pickens became the target of pointed criticism from ex wideout and Super Bowl champion Gehrig Dieter, who questioned how Kansas City defended him and took a jab at the receiver’s route-running.
Pickens finished with 88 yards on six catches, including the decisive 13 yard reception that sealed the Cowboys’ third straight win.
Coming off a 146 yard performance against the Philadelphia Eagles, defenses have struggled to contain his blend of physicality and body control. But Dieter insisted the Chiefs should have approached him differently.
“Pickens only runs slants man,” Dieter posted on X. “Let him beat you over top! Take away the damn slant.”
For a player who caught just two passes in his five year NFL career, the comment turned heads.
Still, it reflected the frustration brewing in Kansas City’s secondary after Pickens repeatedly found soft spots in coverage, especially late in the fourth quarter when Dallas leaned on him to close out the game.
A breakout year that complicates Dallas’ future
While social media debates Pickens‘ route tree, the Cowboys face a more pressing dilemma: how to keep their emerging star long term.
Pickens is eligible for an extension and is headed toward one of the most expensive negotiations in franchise history.
With 1,142 receiving yards already, second most in the league, he is on track for a 1,600 yard campaign that few expected when Dallas traded for him.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Dallas is “likely” to franchise tag Pickens if a deal is not reached quickly, a move that would cost more than 28 million for one season.
A long term extension could push toward 30 to 35 million annually, rivaling the salaries of Justin Jefferson and Tyreek Hill.
The Cowboys are already heavily invested at receiver, having locked in CeeDee Lamb on a four year, 136 million extension.
Two top tier wideouts at premium cost would force the team to make difficult commitments elsewhere, something Jerry Jones alluded to in recent comments on 105.3 The Fan.
“Boy, we got two No. 1s. And that really is problematic,” Jones said, noting both the on field advantage and the financial challenge.
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox argued this week that Dallas should “extend him now” before negotiations become more complicated.
Pickens, for his part, has said he would “love to be back” in 2026, but his camp will expect top dollar after a career year.
Cowboys shifting into playoff form
For now, Dallas is focused on the field rather than the future. The Cowboys’ win over Kansas City followed their comeback victory against Philadelphia, a two-game stretch that restored their place in the NFC playoff hunt.
Pickens and Lamb combined for nearly 200 yards against the Chiefs, continuing their ascent as one of the league’s most dangerous duos.
Whether Pickens “only runs slants” or not, he has quickly become the player the Cowboys trust most when the game is on the line.
As his value rises with every week, so does the urgency for Dallas to make the right financial call, one that may define the team’s direction for years to come.
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