Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) walks on the sideline during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, in Cleveland. Pickens is expected to miss the Steelers’ Week 15 matchup against the Eagles.AP

Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer does not understand the character concerns surrounding former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens.

Schottenheimer says Pickens is heavily engaged and involved in meetings and is simply working to learn the offense ahead of the 2025 NFL season.

“My time with him has just been incredible,” said Schottenheimer. “I think we’re really excited about what he brings as a football player, but I see a guy that’s maturing. I see a guy that we’re excited to put out there and watch him grow and get better… I love watching him in meetings, because in meetings he’s been so dialed in, taking great notes… his intentionality in the meeting room has been really cool for me to see.”

The Steelers traded Pickens for third—and fifth-round picks, ending his time in Pittsburgh. Pickens says he is misunderstood and a ‘chill guy.’

“I’m actually like a chill guy. There’s a big phase of a tornado that’s not even true. I’m a chill guy and I just love to work,” Pickens said.

The Athletic reported that Pickens was 40 minutes late to the team’s Christmas Day game against the Kansas City Chiefs, which was after the inactives were released. Pickens was returning from a hamstring injury and was supposed to test the injury pregame.

The Steelers’ second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, he and Kenny Pickett, the team’s first two picks from that draft, never finished their rookie contracts with the team.

Pickens missed three games with a hamstring injury, dampening what looked to be a second-straight 1000-yard season with the third-year wide receiver.