Since the 2000s began, the Cowboys have had several trades for big-name wide receivers. It’s still too early to make an official proclamation, but so far, the trade for George Pickens is looking like it may be the most successful. Our rundown series now comes to one of Dallas’ brightest stars, and perhaps their most talked-about player this offseason.
Background
Years in NFL: 4
Acquired by:
2022 was a year of sweeping change for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Ben Roethlisberger retired, there was a new
general manager, and the receiver position was also in flux. George Pickens was part of this new offensive era, a second-round pick to go with first-round quarterback Kenny Pickett. Unlike the rookie QB, Pickens was an immediate contributor in a trio with Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool. Pittsburgh traded Claypool away in November, leaving Johnson and Pickens as the clear starting duo.
For three years, Pickens’ talent was clear but so were issues with his maturity and relationship with the Steelers. The team struggled to find its next QB, going through the poo-poo platter of Pickett, Mitch Trubisky, and Mason Rudolph before bringing in Russell Wilson in 2023. While Wilson helped bring some respectability back at QB, Pickens’ status with the team was already breaking down. Criticism of his effort became public, and he went into his fourth year without a clear path forward in Pittsburgh.
As it turned out, the path led to Dallas. Pickens and a 2027 sixth-round pick were sent to the Cowboys for a 2026 third-rounder and Dallas’ fifth-round pick in 2027. For the Steelers, it was a decent return on a former second-rounder who they clearly had no intention of re-signing after his rookie deal. For the Cowboys, it was an immediate upgrade at WR2 and a much-needed wingman for CeeDee Lamb, who’d been carrying too much of the receiving load since the departure of Amari Cooper and the decline of Michael Gallup.
For Pickens, the fresh start was clearly needed. Whether it was a new set of coaches, the pressure from his expiring contract, finally having the right QB in Dak Prescott, or all of the above, Pickens exploded in 2025 with new career highs of 93 catches for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns. He went to his first Pro Bowl and was a Second-Team All-Pro.
In one year, Pickens went from the Steelers’ chopping block to the Cowboys’ franchise tag. A long-term deal was not reached this offseason, but Pickens reported to all mandatory activities and has said he’s ready to be at camp and play 2026 on the franchise tag. Even with the contract issue, Pickens’ relationship with Dallas seems undamaged and there’s plenty of excitement for his second season.
Contract Status
Years Left: 1
2026 Cap Hit: $27.3 million
Honestly, we’ve been waiting to do this one until we saw how the contract negotiations played out. But as of July 15th, the window for franchised players to sign a long-term deal closed and Pickens is now locked in to the franchise deal for 2026. We’ll circle back to this circus next February/March.
2026 Projections
Role: Starting WR
Roster Chance: 100%
We have one of those “great problems to have” with the rising debate over who the Cowboys’ true franchise receiver is between Pickens and Lamb. How you feel about it depends on what you value in a receiver, and much credit you give one guy’s presence to helping the other thrive. In the end, does it even matter? Dallas has two receivers that would be the clear number one for most NFL teams, so let’s just enjoy it.
One of the fascinating things to watch in 2026 will be how defenses adjust to Pickens’ breakout. Does he get increased attention, making life easier for Lamb? Do teams commit so much to stopping the superstar receivers that guys like Ryan Flournoy and Jake Ferguson have huge years? Will Dallas’ running backs be the biggest beneficiaries from high concern over the passing attack?
Without a doubt, Pickens’ presence makes all of this possible. As good as Lamb was from 2022-2024, Pickens’ arrival opened things up and helped make the offense much less predictable. It also helped that Brian Schottenheimer was here for the locker room side, probably a much better coach for Pickens than Mike McCarthy would have been.
In life and in football, not everyone is suited for everyone. For whatever reasons, Pittsburgh wasn’t the right fit for Pickens at that point in his career. And for at least one season, his new relationship with Dallas was mutually beneficial. If it stays that way this season, maybe the courtship will become a marriage in 2027.
Check out our previous player profiles from this series:
RB Israel Abanikanda | P Bryan Anger | K Brandon Aubrey | S Justin Barron | G T.J. Bass | C Cooper Beebe | CB DaRon Bland | RB Jaydon Blue | G Tyler Booker | CB Josh Butler | CB Caelen Carson | S Alijah Clark | DT Kenny Clark | OT Ajani Cornelius | RB Malik Davis | S Caleb Downs | DT Tommy Dunn | CB Cobie Durant | OLB Donovan Ezeiruaku | TE Princeton Fant | TE Jake Ferguson | WR Ryan Flournoy | OLB Rashan Gary | C Matt Hennessy | S Malik Hooker | OLB James Houston | QB Sam Howell | WR Jordan Hudson | LB Shemar James | WR Tyler Johnson | G Trevor Keegan | CB Derion Kendrick | WR CeeDee Lamb | OLB Isaiah Land | OLB Marist Liufau | S P.J. Locke | FB Hunter Luepke | RB Phil Mafah | QB Joe Milton III | WR Jonathan Mingo | CB Devin Moore | DT Otito Ogbonnia | DT L.T. Overton | LB DeMarvion Overshown | QB Dak Prescott | CB Shavon Revel | TE DJ Rogers | TE Luke Schoonmaker | OT Drew Shelton | LS Trent Sieg | WR Anthony Smith | G Tyler Smith | OLB Charles Snowden | TE Brevyn Spann-Ford | OT Terence Steele | CB Reddy Steward | OT Nate Thomas | S Jalen Thompson | DT Jay Toia | TE Michael Trigg | WR KaVontae Turpin | WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling | OLB Tyrus Wheat | RB Javonte Williams | DT Quinnen Williams | OLB Sam Williams | OL DJ Wingfield | LB Dee Winters | DT D.J. Withers | S Julius Wood
