In the most basic sports terms, the tape don’t lie. And the truth the game tape told about Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens in a season opening loss to the Philadelphia Eagles was hard to stomach.
That truth the tape showed the world is that Pickens still has the same problems he had that led the Pittsburgh Steelers to trade him to the Cowboys in the first place — a terrible lack of effort that might eventually unravel a once promising career.
“Not enough effort, not enough commitment to the team,” former NFL offensive lineman and 3-time Pro Bowler Taylor Lewan said on ESPN’s “Get Up” on September 11. “(The Cowboys) need more from you when the ball’s not coming your way. There needs to be a full package of commitment from George Pickens … you’re a massively talented young man but we can’t have you jogging in run concepts. You’ve gotta be all in. I need to watch that tape and know you’re fully committed on every snap.”
Lewan Not Only Panelist Fed Up With Pickens
Lewan’s comments started a flood of criticism of Pickens, who has long been thought of as one of the NFL’s most talented but most underachieving wide receivers.
Pickens is also playing for what could be a life changing free agent contract after this season. He was a second round pick (No. 52 overall) in the 2022 NFL draft and is in the final season of his 4-year, $6.75 million rookie contract.
“We saw it with the Steelers,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter said. “(Pickens) doesn’t give effort when he doesn’t have the ball … the solution isn’t going to be (head coach) Brian Schottenheimer calling him into his office to talk. It needs to be Dak Prescott talking to him and asking him if he’s really all in.
The Cowboys should be getting maximum effort from Pickens. He’s looking at $25 to $30 million per year if he performs … so how hard is this to get him to show effort? In Pittsburgh he was somebody they couldn’t count on … maximum talent but the effort isn’t there.”
Frustrations With Pickens Could Boil Over Quickly
Pickens’ terrible performance against the Eagles mostly went under the radar — he had 3 receptions for 30 yards on 4 targets — mostly because of the controversy over “Spitgate” and fellow wide receiver CeeDee Lamb’s critical drops in the second half.
He’ll get no such cover moving forward — the Cowboys return home for Week 2 for another NFC East Division game against the New York Giants.
It’s hard to see the Cowboys putting up with a prolonged lack of effort from Pickens, who has a history of on-field and off-field incidents throughout his entire career.
The Ringer’s Sheil Kapadia predicted the move will backfire on the Cowboys to the point Pickens won’t even last a full season in Dallas.
“I’m like … it wouldn’t shock us is George Pickens is off the roster by Thanksgiving,” Kapadia said on The Ringer NFL Show on August 18. “I mean, everything is in play with that guy.”
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