Despite a challenging season for the Cowboys, who are on the brink of missing the playoffs, there had been a bright spot: George Pickens. Up until Week 13, Pickens had enjoyed a spectacular campaign, but his performance in the last two games has faltered, and criticism has been swift.
In Week 14 against the Detroit Lions, he recorded just five receptions for 37 yards, and last Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, he had three catches for 37 yards. Certain attitudes on the field also drew negative attention. This prompted many to recall his departure from the Pittsburgh Steelers over conduct issues, which has raised concerns in Dallas in recent weeks.
Even so, Pickens’ season remains impressive. The receiver has accumulated 81 receptions for 1,212 yards, his career-highs in the NFL. While these are remarkable stats, his behavior in the games against the Vikings and Lions has raised some red flags.
George Pickens breaks his silence
When the Cowboys completed the trade with the Steelers last May, no one doubted Pickens’ talent; the only question mark was his conduct. That issue seemed behind him, but after the last two games, criticism has intensified.
Asked about the situation, Pickens, clearly frustrated, responded to how he has been portrayed: “Everybody has a job to do. Some people’s job is to do that, tear down character, see how many clicks they can get. I’m just here to play football and help the team… It’s starting to get kinda old.”
Despite these two games being his worst since Week 1, when he recorded only 30 yards against the Philadelphia Eagles, there’s no doubt Pickens is on track to secure a lucrative contract with the Cowboys or another team in the upcoming offseason, as he will be a free agent.
As for the Dallas Cowboys, the team is already looking ahead to 2026. Although they are not mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, their chances are slim. Simulations indicate that Jerry Jones’ team, with a 6-7-1 record, has only a 1% chance of advancing to the next round.
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