Oct 6, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) walks off the field against the Dallas Cowboys during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

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The Dallas Cowboys’ blockbuster trade to acquire George Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers has been hailed as adding a difference-maker for quarterback Dak Prescott as a second explosive option in the passing game opposite CeeDee Lamb.

“This is going to be huge for Dallas,” a veteran NFL scout told me, shortly after the Cowboys trade went down. “If Pickens can keep his head on straight. But, how many diva wide receivers like him have ever kept their head on straight?”

It’s the latter half of the scout’s assessment of Pickens’ game that the 24-year-old is pushing back on.

“I’m actually a chill guy,” Pickens told reporters, when asked during Cowboys OTAs if there is something that fans might not know about him. “It’s like a big phase of a tornado that’s not even true. I’m a chill guy, and just like to work.”

Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) runs after a catch against the Baltimore Ravens during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Even Pickens’ former head coach, Mike Tomlin had concerns about the receivers’ presence in the Steelers’ locker room last season.

“There’s certainly obviously more room for growth there,” Tomlin told reporters at his end of the year press conference in January. “I think he covered some ground in 2024, but there’s certainly a heck of a lot more ground to be covered, and we’ll see where it leaves us.”

Now in Dallas, looking at a fresh start, and the chance to potentially play with the most complete quarterback of his career, in Prescott, Pickens is looking to turn the page.

“I wouldn’t say that,” Pickens said, when a reporter suggested that he may be a ‘tornado on the field.’ “I’m much more disciplined.”