George Pickens has fit in seamlessly with the Dallas Cowboys. The burgeoning wide receiver hit the ground running in his inaugural campaign with the club and hasn't looked back, already rewriting franchise history.
Pickens is blossoming into the star many envisioned he could be with the Pittsburgh Steelers, notwithstanding the well-chronicled character concerns and poor quarterback play. Talent has never been a question; we're just seeing him live up to the lofty potential in a (much-needed) change of scenery. However, his breakout can be credited to getting traded to Dallas this past offseason.
While it hasn't necessarily translated to consistent winning quite yet, the partnership between Pickens and the Cowboys has proven fruitful thus far. He's thrived since landing in Dallas on an expiring contract and has shown zero signs of slowing down. So much so that the team's first-year head coach, Brian Schottenheimer, voiced his desire to retain the wideout long-term.
Brian Schottenheimer sends clear message to Jerry Jones on George Pickens contract extension
"Sign me up," Schottenheimer told reporters when asked about Pickens' fit in Dallas beyond 2025. "I mean, what do you say?"
Schottenheimer's affinity for Pickens is ostensibly largely centered around the dynamic duo he creates with three-time All-Pro CeeDee Lamb. The Cowboys arguably have the NFL's premier receiver tandem. After witnessing them pummel the Las Vegas Raiders in primetime, the sideline general doesn't want to see the connection end anytime soon.
"Those two guys [Pickens and Lamb], I just love their relationship, man," Schottenheimer said. "I love the firepower that they give us. That's one of those games where you never know which one it's going to be. Some games, it's both of them. Some games, it's one of them, and again, like I said, I pinch myself at times."
It's clear where Schottenheimer stands on ensuring Pickens is a Cowboy for the foreseeable future. But what does owner/general manager Jerry Jones, who must sign off on the massive payday projected to come the latter's way, think?
Jones has voiced the luxury of having roster/financial flexibility following his stunning decision to send superstar pass rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers. Negotiations with Pickens will put that theory to the test, with Schottenheimer's comments only further highlighting the approach.
Pickens hasn't just stayed out of trouble, excluding an opening drive benching in Week 11 that was quickly forgotten -- his game has risen. He currently trails only Seattle Seahawks standout Jaxon Smith-Njigba in receiving yards (908) and is tied for the third-most touchdowns (seven). If the Cowboys don't reward him, someone else will.