FRISCO – With big names still on the free agency market and in the NFL Draft the Dallas Cowboys have multiple options to fill their receiver void.
Apparently, somebody thinks a trade could also be in order.
The Wrightway Sports Network (no, we’re not familiar) predicts the Cowboys to make a blockbuster move by acquiring George Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers in a trade.
Yes, the Cowboys need a receiver. But this scenario is hard to wrap our heads around.
Indeed, the supposed “insider” Marissa Myers (no offense, Marissa!) struggled to form a coherent argument for the claim.
Here are 3 reasons why a trade of George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys doesn’t make sense:
1. Trade Habits
“While on the outside looking in, Dallas doesn’t seem like a more attractive situation than Pittsburgh, but in Dallas, the quarterback situation is better,” Myers said simply.
“Dallas has the talent to turn things around quickly from their 7-10 playoff-missing season, [but] it will just take putting everything together under their new head coach in Brian Schottenheimer.
Well … “putting everything together” by making big splash trades isn’t normally how the Cowboys do business.
The Cowboys are notorious for bringing a methodical approach to team management. They generally draft well. They develop those players into stars. Then they either let them walk or re-sign them in a low-spending free agency.
They don’t usually play real-life fantasy football and make silly match-maker trades for guys like George Pickens.
If Dallas were to make a trade of any kind this offseason, it would likely look like the ones they’ve already made.
They’ve acquired experienced and affordable players with former first-round pedigree who filled the most glaring holes.
As much as Cowboys Nation wants a big swing here, Pickens doesn’t fit that mold.
Also, if you want to bring up Schottenheimer and his new position as head coach, we should mention the culture he is aiming to build in Dallas.
Because Pickens doesn’t quite fit that either.
2. Locker-Room Culture
Pickens’ behavior in the NFL so far does not make you confident he can thrive in any locker room you throw him in.
Myers admitted that “Pickens’ tantrums, immaturity, and lack of accountability holds him back from being able to put everything together.”
There’s that “putting everything together” card again …
In an organization that is in a “culture-shift” of sorts with the losses to veterans like Zack Martin, Jourdan Lewis, and DeMarcus Lawrence, a simple fix would be to avoid the guy who is an infamously time bomb ready to explode.
With the types of personalities already on the Cowboys’ roster – judging by this week’s social media beef bonanza – this seems like a powder keg taking on a lit match.
3. Money Plans
Aside from his extracurriculars, we have no problem with George Pickens the football player. He is an athletic and rangy target with good size at 6-3 and youth.
He will make a great impact in the NFL for years to come. Someday, we bet he matures – the former second-round pick just turned a tender 24 – and puts the silliness behind him.
That is just unlikely to happen in Dallas … and the most obvious reason? Money.
Pickens is entering the final year of his cheap rookie contract and in 2026 might command an APY of $30 million.
No matter how much the Cowboys need a receiver, they will not be willing to pay top dollar for a second option. … so a trade here would be a rental.
Oh, and one more thing about this weird report: The site never says what Dallas is giving up in trade here.
In the Cowboys’ search for a second receiver, they will likely pursue an older veteran in free agency who can take the work load off of CeeDee Lamb, or add depth in the NFL Draft.
While not ruling out a trade entirely, we don’t believe George Pickens is the answer to “putting things together” in Dallas.
