Everybody who ever watched Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens play a game knew he had something like this in him — a game where he showed the whole word he was one of the NFL’s best wide receivers.
When it finally happened, in a Week 4 Sunday Night Football game against the Green Bay Packers, it was glorious.
With NFL All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb out for the Cowboys with a high ankle sprain, Pickens torched the Packers for 8 receptions for 134 yards and 2 touchdowns and did so with what seemed like one highlight reel catch after another.
Even if the end result was a 40-40 tie — the highest scoring tie in NFL history — what Pickens did was undeniable.
Pickens had 13 receptions for 166 yards and 2 touchdowns through the first 3 games.
“It has been the breakout night for George Pickens tonight, at least in terms of his time with the Dallas Cowboys,” NBC Sports color commentator Cris Collinsworth said. “He has been sensational … there is some magic happening between Pickens and Dak Prescott.”
Pickens Came to Cowboys in Controversial Trade
Pickens is playing for what could be a life changing free agent contract after this season.
He was a second round pick (No. 52 overall) in the 2022 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers and is in the final season of his 4-year, $6.75 million rookie contract after the Cowboys obtained Pickens and a 2027 sixth round pick in exchange for a 2026 third round pick and 2027 fifth round pick.
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox called the trade the NFL’s “riskiest offseason move” in June.
“Considering the Cowboys have long lacked a dependable second receiver opposite (CeeDee) Lamb and need to find a fast start under new head coach Brian Schottenheimer, this trade was a significant risk,” Knox wrote on June 15. “For one, Pickens’ on-field consistency was a major issue in Pittsburgh, which is why he was dealt in the first place. The 24-year-old has immense talent and, physically, could be an ideal match for Lamb. However, he’s struggled with focus and professionalism.”
Social Media Reacts to Pickens Going Off
Pickens has long been a subject of internet chatter for his often mercurial behavior dating back to his college days at the University of Georgia through his time with the Steelers, where he showed up late for a Christmas Day game in 2024 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
“This is the enigma of George Pickens,” Urinating Tree wrote on its official X account “When he isn’t crashing out every other quarter, his talent is second to none.”
“Insane George Pickens contested catches still hit like crack,” PFF’s Mike Kennedy wrote on X.
“Reminder that we let George Pickens go because he had a ‘Grumpy attitude,’ ” X user and Steelers fan PickensBurgh wrote.
“It is so much fun being a George Pickens believer,” Underdog’s Hayden Winks wrote on his official X account.
“The George Pickens trade was cool as hell,” Yahoo’s Matt Harmon wrote on his official X account.
“GEORGE (EXPLETIVE) PICKENS!” former Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant wrote on his official X account.
Tony Adame covers the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Commanders, Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles and Denver Broncos. A veteran sports writer and editor since 2004, his work has been featured at Stadium Talk, Yardbarker, NW Florida Daily News and Pensacola News Journal. More about Tony Adame
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