George Pickens Traded to Cowboys as Dallas Boosts Offense
In a box office-style move to enhance their receiving corps, the Dallas Cowboys acquired WR George Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers in a Wednesday morning trade. The deal sends Pickens and a 2026 sixth-round pick to Dallas in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round selection. The transaction marks a fresh start for Pickens, 24, and entering a contract year, now joins a Cowboys offense led by quarterback Dak Prescott.
Pickens’ Journey in Pittsburgh
Entering the final year of his rookie contract, Pickens had emerged as Pittsburgh’s WR1 over the course of the last two seasons. However, his tenure with the Steelers was marred by inconsistent quarterback play and criticism for disappearing in the biggest moments. Over 14 games in 2024, he recorded 59 receptions for 900 yards and three touchdowns on 103 targets. This marks a slight dip from his standout 2023 campaign, where he amassed 1,140 yards and five touchdowns while leading the NFL with 18.1 yards per catch.
Since being drafted in 2022, Pickens caught passes from a carousel of Steelers quarterbacks, including Kenny Pickett, Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, Mitchell Trubisky and Mason Rudolph. Pittsburgh has been searching for a long-term answer at the QB position ever since Ben Roethlisberger retired in 2021. This left Pickens navigating an ever-shifting offensive landscape that appeared to frustrate the wideout at times. The Steelers’ current QB room features Rudolph, career backup Skylar Thompson, and rookie sixth-rounder Will Howard. While rumors swirled about a potential pursuit of 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers after his March visit with head coach Mike Tomlin, no deal materialized.
A New Chapter for Dallas and Pickens
For Pickens, the trade offers an opportunity to reset alongside Prescott, a three-time Pro Bowler and the 2022 Walter Payton Man of the Year. Prescott missed eight games last season while recovering from a season-ending hamstring injury. Prescott threw for 4,516 yards, 36 touchdowns, and nine interceptions in his most recent full-season campaign in 2022. His April update on his health was optimistic: “If I had to play a game today, I definitely could do that,” said Prescott. The pairing could unlock Pickens’ potential, providing him with the most accomplished quarterback of his career.
Dallas Made Multiple Offers to Trade for George Pickens
According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, discussions between Dallas and Pittsburgh began during the 2025 NFL Draft but stalled before reigniting this week. “Dallas came back with an improved effort that eventually landed Pickens,” Russini noted on social media. The Cowboys’ urgency reflects their desire to address offensive inconsistencies, though questions linger about whether Pickens alone can solve them.
Pickens’ future in Dallas beyond 2025 remains uncertain. Represented by agent David Mulugheta, who also handles Cowboys standout Micah Parsons’ extension talks, could prove delicate. Team owner Jerry Jones recently offered a tepid assessment of Mulugheta during Parsons’ negotiations, hinting at potential complexities ahead. I think Pickens and his camp look at this season as an opportunity to bet on himself with competent QB play not being a factor in his production.
