George Pickens is no stranger to criticism. The former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver had his fair share of headlines made before being traded to the Dallas Cowboys. Some of them, admittedly, were by his own doing. Attitude and temper were both common topics when discussing Pickens.
So naturally, when he got traded to the Cowboys, that was the low-hanging fruit for anyone who disagreed with the move. It was easy to wonder whether or not Pickens would be a cancer to the locker room. But, NFL insider Peter Schrager offered an update on the concerns in a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show.
"The rap on him is that he is a 'bad vibes in the locker room guy.' So far in Dallas, he's been GREAT in the locker room," Schrager said.
Well, would you look at that. It appears as though Pickens has been good for the Cowboys' locker room. If we're all being honest, did we see it going like that?
George Pickens is saying and doing the right things now, but will it last?
Listen, this isn't a bad vibes type of take here. This isn't even a knock on Pickens. I am strictly asking a question that, to be frank, is a very valid one. Pickens' history of blowups is worrisome, and we have yet to get into the thick of the regular season.
He might be saying and doing all of the right things over the offseason -- and credit to him for that much -- but if he's able to make it through the season while only furthering the positive narrative, that would be a massive win for the Cowboys.
This is a player many fan bases didn't necessarily want their teams to take a shot on strictly based off Pickens' attitude and perceived selfishness. That is a fact. It is not up for debate. So, Pickens truly has a chance to change the narrative once and for all.
It's a narrative that transformed based off reality, and the Steelers grew tired of it. They couldn't figure out a way to turn it around, so he became another Pittsburgh wide receiver castoff.
Now, in Dallas, Pickens is well on his way of turning things around just like many said he couldn't. Hopefully, for his sake and the Cowboys', it lasts.