The quarterback havoc wasn’t the only problem that the Steelers were dealing with. It was also star wide receiver George Pickens‘ unspoken request, or rather demand, to bring stability to the starting lineup. In simple words, he was fed up with the losing culture of Pittsburgh. The ship began sinking the day Ben Roethlisberger announced his retirement in 2022. If the QB could stay in his prime forever, the Steelers might have been sailing a different ship right now. Since 2022, every year, someone new has taken the reins. And at some point, it became suffocating for Pickens, too. Thus, he landed in Dallas.  

Pickens became a Cowboy this May. And from the looks of it, it’s going pretty well. Five catches. 68 yards. A touchdown. Talk about a good game! So, of course, it was a triumph at 40-37 against the New York Giants, marking Dallas’ first win of the season. An X post by Sleeper Cowboys highlighted Pickens’ impact, noting “98 yards on eight receptions and one touchdown,” which he logged in two games. 

As the tweet grabbed the WR’s attention, he reposted it with a strong “Just getting started” message he added in the caption. 

Pickens’ talent was never up for questioning, even in Pittsburgh, but it truly appears to have flourished since he became a Dallashead. Yet, if you ask the WR, the credit isn’t with him, but the Cowboys. The only reason he’s able to make an immediate impact is because of his new environment. “The last place I was at, just coming in with a group of guys who was good guys but were all rookies, got a rookie QB, so I couldn’t really thrive and show the world the potential I have,” he said, throwing not-so-subtle shade at his former team, particularly Kenny Pickett. 

Drafted from the same batch, Pickens made his debut alongside Pickett. But the former starting QB was a total bust. In 25 games he started, he recorded 4,474 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. It was a failed experiment as Tomlin finally let him go. Then came Russell Wilson and Justin Fields in 2024—needless to say, another failed experiment. Pickens’ growing frustration with this havoc was quite evident. At one point, head coach Tomlin even urged him to “grow up.” He was literally a steal for Pittsburgh, but now he might be burning bridges with his former team. 

Now, things are different, or in Pickens’ mind, stable. What’s even better is his quickly growing chemistry with the Cowboys’ steady quarterback for the past nine years, Dak Prescott. 

George Pickens makes his mark early

Prescott and Pickens began “putting on a show” on the first day of their practice in July. “George Pickens’ connection with Dak Prescott is already impressive — the two regularly connecting for chunk plays,” remarked Cowboys beat reporter Patrick Walker in July. And in Week 2, although the box score showed Prescott and Pickens missed on four passing attempts, the real picture was rather complex. The WR frequently drew defensive pass interference calls, so even if he doesn’t catch the ball, he’s still advancing the chains. After the game, Prescott had only high praise for him. 

“He’s huge. He’s a guy who’s going to win one-on-one or if not draw fouls. Very physical. He’s a mismatch for damn near any DB in this league. And so they’re going to have to double him, and that’s your troubles right there.” As far as his connection with him is concerned on the field, the QB is positive that it’ll get better. 

Prescott wasn’t the only one to shower praise on the young receiver. Fellow WR, aka Cowboys elite offensive weapon, CeeDee Lamb, added, “You’re starting to understand how much of a demon he really is,” about Pickens. Those three years as a Pro in Pittsburgh don’t mean as much for Pickens as his two games as a Cowboy. This is the fresh start he was seeking, and now that he has finally gotten it, things are expected to only go well hereon.