Dallas Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer has vowed to step in amid a feud between one of the team’s star wide receivers and a former NFL cornerback.
The Cowboys fell to 6-6-1 on the season after dropping Thursday night’s game to the Detroit Lions.
The 44-30 loss put Dallas’ playoff hopes in jeopardy. Former Seattle Seahawks star and current NFL analyst Richard Sherman was on hand for the Prime Video broadcast and suggested George Pickens looked “uninterested” and took a “disengaged” position.
Pickens caught wind of Sherman’s critique and fired back on social media, directing a series of names and insults at the retired defensive back. Pickens later appeared to delete the post, but his initial actions still prompted Schottenheimer to commit to addressing the situation with the wideout.
Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer during the second half against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. (Lon Horwedel/Imagn Images)
“I’m aware of what was supposedly put out there,” Schottenheimer told reporters on Friday. “I’ve not talked to him yet. I understand it’s been taken down, but I will be talking to him, just checking on him. Again, this is unfortunately things that we deal with in this profession. But I have not spoken to him, but I will.”
4 TAKEAWAYS FROM THE LIONS’ WIN OVER THE COWBOYS
Pickens finished Thursday’s game with 37 receiving yards. While the former Georgia standout is typically a deep threat, he failed to haul in a pass of more than 10 yards for the first time in a game this year.
In the social media post, Pickens seemed to assert that Sherman should have taken the Lions’ defensive strategy into consideration, writing in part, “it’s funny cause I thought former players would know that,” before claiming Sherman, “AINT SHH WITHOUT THE LEGION OF BOOM.”
Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer and wide receiver George Pickens (3) celebrate after their team’s touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders in the third quarter of a game at Allegiant Stadium Nov. 17, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Ian Maule/Getty Images)
After the game, Pickens acknowledged he could’ve delivered a better performance.
“For myself, personally, you can’t just disappear,” Pickens told reporters after the game. All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb exited in the second half with a head injury, which appeared to result in Pickens drawing greater attention from Lions defenders.
Schottenheimer later watched the game on film and pushed back against the idea that Pickens’ effort was below standard.
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens during the first half against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field Dec. 4, 2025, in Detroit. (Lon Horwedel/Imagn Images)
“I don’t think any of us coached or played well enough,” Schottenheimer said. “All in all, I’m going to judge George on his body of work, man. His body of work, he’s shown what an elite player he is and what a game changer that he is. I have no question.”
Pickens spent his first three NFL seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was traded to the Cowboys in the offseason. In 13 games played this season, Pickens has career highs in receiving yards and touchdowns.
