Prior to the start of the 2025 NFL season, the Dallas Cowboys made one of multiple high-profile trades, sending a third round and fifth round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers for controversial wide receiver George Pickens. At the time of the trade, the hope was that Pickens would be a great compliment to All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb.
However, the trade has worked out better than Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones could have hoped, with Pickens being the more productive of the two wide receivers this season.
George Pickens is having the best year of his career with the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys, George Pickens
Nov 23, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens (3) reacts after a play in the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Coming into the 2025 NFL season, Pickens had just one season in which he recorded over 1,000 receiving yards. His best year came in 2023, his second year in the league, when he had 63 receptions for 1,140 yards, five touchdowns, and led the NFL with 18.1 yards per reception.
This season, through 11 games, he has a career-high 67 receptions to go with 1,054 receiving yards and a career-high eight touchdown receptions.
Dallas has six games left to play.
By comparison, Lamb has 44 receptions for 632 yards and two touchdowns (eight games played).
Pickens, of course, is in the final year of his rookie contract and many wonder if he will be “one and done” in Dallas or if the Cowboys will try to sign him.
On Tuesday, Jones provided a hint as to what the answer to that question is.
Jerry Jones wants George Pickens back with the Dallas Cowboys in 2026
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Jones is thrilled with Pickens’ production for the Cowboys this season and does not want to let him walk after the season. He told 105.3 the Fan in Dallas that he does not see Pickens playing for a different team next season:
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on @1053thefan said he doesn’t see Dallas WR George Pickens playing for any other team next season.
“We have two No. 1 receivers. … There’s nothing we can gain from speculating (about his contract today). The bottom line is we’re in good shape. ……
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) November 25, 2025
Of course, it is going to be difficult to sign Pickens long-term as the team already is paying Dak Prescott and Lamb top-of-the-market salaries.
That being said, Dallas will have the ability to franchise tag Pickens, which would ensure that he is back with the Cowboys in 2026.
Jones is not going to work out anything with Pickens during the season, but the situation surrounding his future in Dallas will certainly be one of the most talked-about stories of the upcoming offseason.
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