{"id":51365,"date":"2025-05-26T10:02:05","date_gmt":"2025-05-26T10:02:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=51365"},"modified":"2025-05-26T10:02:05","modified_gmt":"2025-05-26T10:02:05","slug":"report-dallas-cowboys-george-pickens-has-strong-message-for-critics-ahead-of-2025-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=51365","title":{"rendered":"REPORT: Dallas Cowboys\u2019 George Pickens Has Strong Message for Critics Ahead of 2025 Season"},"content":{"rendered":"
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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<\/em><\/p>\n

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The Dallas Cowboys\u2019 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is going to be huge for Dallas,\u201d\u00a0a veteran NFL scout told me, shortly after the Cowboys trade went down. \u201cIf Pickens can keep his head on straight. But, how many diva wide receivers like him have ever kept their head on straight?\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the latter half of the scout\u2019s assessment of Pickens\u2019 game that the 24-year-old is pushing back on.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m actually a chill guy,\u201d Pickens told reporters, when asked during Cowboys OTAs if there is something that fans might not know about him. \u201cIt\u2019s like a big phase of a tornado that\u2019s not even true. I\u2019m a chill guy, and just like to work.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"REPORT: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<\/em><\/p>\n

Even Pickens\u2019 former head coach, Mike Tomlin had concerns about the receivers\u2019 presence in the Steelers\u2019 locker room last season.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s certainly obviously more room for growth there,\u201d Tomlin told reporters at his end of the year press conference in January. \u201cI think he covered some ground in 2024, but there\u2019s certainly a heck of a lot more ground to be covered, and we\u2019ll see where it leaves us.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t say that,\u201d Pickens said, when a reporter suggested that he may be a \u2018tornado on the field.\u2019 \u201cI\u2019m much more disciplined.\u201d<\/p>\n