The Dallas Cowboys entered the 2025/26 NFL campaign under scrutiny after a turbulent offseason, but one new arrival from the Pittsburgh Steelers has quickly shifted the conversation.
George Pickens, acquired to provide balance alongside CeeDee Lamb, has emerged as a consistent weapon for Dak Prescott in the wide receiver corps and his immediate impact has already drawn the attention of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.
Jones, 82, has gone so far as to hint at a lucrative future for the 23-year-old pass catcher if he continues his electric pace, which is 21 receptions for 300 yards and four touchdowns through four games.
That includes a dominant 134-yard, two-score performance against the Green Bay Packers in a 40-40 shootout on Sunday, Spetmeber 28. It was the type of display that reinforced why Dallas took a chance on him.
Jones hints at Pickens future talks
And it has accelerated talk of long-term plans as speaking on 105.3 The FAN, Jones praised both Pickens’ production and preparation.
“He’s an exemplary teammate,” Jones said. “He’s exemplary in his work preparation. You can see the results of that out there Sunday.
“I’m proud to tell you that we’ve got some outstanding structure in our cap space that will allow us to do a lot of things that I didn’t think (we could) at this time last year.
“We got it. We paid a price for it. We can do it now.”
The financial flexibility Jones referenced signals that if Pickens continues on this trajectory, the Cowboys will be positioned to secure his services well beyond his rookie deal.
Pickens’ rise in Dallas is not entirely surprising given flashes he showed with the Steelers.
Despite inconsistent quarterback play in his first two professional seasons, he managed several standout games, including a 195-yard, two-touchdown outburst in late 2023.
His move to Dallas paired him with a Pro Bowl quarterback for the first time, and the results speak for themselves as Prescott’s ability to distribute the ball has amplified Pickens’ skill set.
While Lamb remains the designated top receiver when healthy, Pickens has thrived in expanded opportunities, scoring in three straight games while Lamb recovers from an ankle injury.
His ability to stretch the field and win contested catches has provided stability to an offense that needed answers early in the season.
Pickens’ drops potential exit bombshell
Despite the optimism surrounding his start in Dallas, Pickens’ future is not entirely settled as he hints he could look for more money away from the AT&T Stadium when his deal expires.
In a recent interview with The Athletic’s Jon Machota, the wideout reflected on his early success with ‘America’s Team’, while leaving open questions about where his career might ultimately unfold.
“I’d probably just say being a great receiver,” Pickens said when asked about what his Cowboys production signaled. “Just no matter kinda where I go or where I land, me, myself, George Pickens is a great receiver.
“I feel like that’s what I’ve shown people.”
If current trends hold, projections place him at roughly 80 catches, 1,200 yards, and 16 touchdowns over a full season. Those numbers would position him among the top tier of receivers in the league.
And recent contracts for players like Garrett Wilson, Tee Higgins, and Jameson Williams highlight how valuable such production has become.
The Cowboys took a calculated risk in acquiring Pickens given his reported disciplinary issues in Pittsburgh, including missed check-ins and tardiness to practices. To this point, that gamble has been rewarded.
He has stayed engaged, avoided controversy, and given Prescott a reliable target when the team needed stability but how long he will actually be around for remains to be seen.
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