News has emerged that the Pittsburgh Steelers are sending George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for draft capital, a move that has a significant impact on the NFL landscape, not just for Pickens, but for the offense he’s joining as well as the one he’s leaving.
If you’re not impressed by the price the Dallas Cowboys paid to acquire George Pickens, look at the bigger picture; this move isn’t just about picks. It’s about upgrading the offense, helping quarterback Dak Prescott, and proving Jerry Jones can still pull off bold, meaningful trades.
Pickens, 24, joins Dallas from the Pittsburgh Steelers in a deal that sends a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick to Pittsburgh. The Cowboys also receive a 2027 sixth-round pick along with the promising young wide receiver.
The Cowboys have been searching for a good No. 2 receiver since early last season. They experimented with several options before settling on Pickens, a big-play threat with No. 1 receiver potential. He caught 59 passes for 900 yards and three touchdowns last season. In 2023, he broke through with over 1,000 yards and led the NFL with 18.1 yards per reception.
Pairing Pickens with CeeDee Lamb could give Dallas one of the most explosive receiving duos in the league. With Prescott needing more ammo to make a deep playoff push, this is a strategic and timely move.
Jerry Jones Shows He Was Serious
For a change, Jerry Jones turned words into action. When he promised “substantive trades” before or after the 2025 NFL Draft, fans met it with skepticism. That was fair—his “all in” promise last offseason amounted to few game-changing moves.
This time, however, Jones delivered. Signing Pickens sends a message to the locker room and fanbase: the Cowboys aren’t just talking about winning—they’re actually attempting to win now. It’s a move that lends some credibility back to Jones, who has been operating as GM of Dallas since 1989.
George Pickens Comes With Baggage
However, this is not a risk-free deal. Pickens’ time in Pittsburgh was a rollercoaster—mostly of his own creation. He missed games in 2024 due to a strained hamstring and was flagged multiple times for unsportsmanlike conduct. He made news with questionable comments and inconsistencies in his route running.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was not subtle, saying after one such episode
“He’s got to grow up. And fast.”.
With contract extension talks going nowhere, Pittsburgh moved on, trading for D.K. Metcalf in a blockbuster deal. Meanwhile, Pickens unfollowed the Steelers on social media and waited for the next chapter.
That next chapter is now Dallas. The Cowboys must decide if he’s a long-term fit or a one-year rental. Pickens is unsigned for 2026 and will need to prove he’s deserving of a big extension.
This trade is a gamble on growth and talent that carries risk. If Pickens grows and flourishes in Dallas, he could enhance the offense and make Jones’ latest risk more worthwhile. For now, the Cowboys enhanced their roster, and Jerry Jones finally kept a promise.
