The Cowboys finally have their No. 2 receiver to complement CeeDee Lamb.
Dallas is acquiring George Pickens and a 2026 sixth-round draft pick from the Steelers in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick and a fifth-rounder in 2027, according to ESPN.
Pickens, 24, is entering the final year of his rookie deal.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones recently said “the train had not left the station” in the team’s attempt to find a wideout that could truly form a dynamic combination with Lamb.
Jalen Tolbert had the second-most receiving yards on the team last year with 610, and Lamb has not had a true No. 2 alongside him since the 2021 when he paired with Amari Cooper.
In Pickens, the Cowboys land a talented receiver who endured some bumps in Pittsburgh.
The 2022 second-round pick has tallied at least 800 yards in each season of his career, including a career-high 1,140 yards in 2023 and a 900 this past season in 14 games.
However, there have been concerns about his attitude.
Underdog said Pickens and the Steelers had a “very difficult year” this past season, which included the wideout showing up late for a Christmas game against the Chiefs.
Head coach Mike Tomlin said during the season that Pickens has to “grow up” after receiving a pair of unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in a December win over the Bengals.
It seemed, though, that the sides seemed open to remaining together.
General manager Omar Khan said in February the team would be open to an extension.
“I can tell you that he has a desire to be great,” Khan said, per the Steelers’ website. “He has a desire to be great here. We have a desire for him to be great and to be great here with respect to the contract. But you know, we won’t discuss that publicly, and usually those things are addressed at a later date.”
The Steelers, in March, acquired and extended receiver DK Metcalf to seemingly pair with Pickens.
Khan then said before the draft the team did not plan to trade Pickens.
“We’re glad we have George and DK here. I think they’re going to be exciting for everyone to watch,” Khan said. “(We’re) excited to have DK here, but no (trade plans).”
The Steelers then did not add a receiver in the draft nor did they trade Pickens despite rumors they had been receiving calls about his availability.
Those actions seemingly set the stage for Metcalf and Pickens to work with whomever is under center next season.
But after this trade, Metcalf should be peppered with targets from free agent Aaron Rodgers or the underwhelming in-house options such as Mason Rudolph and 2025 draft pick Will Howard.
Pittsburgh made the playoffs last year with Russell Wilson, but he moved on to the Giants after losing five straight games to end the season, including a wild-card loss to the Ravens.
The Steelers have a history with trading talented receivers who have bumped heads along the way, notably including Antonio Brown and Diontae Johnson.
The Cowboys aim to return to the playoffs under first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer and are seemingly in a better spot to do so with Lamb, Pickens and a healthy Dak Prescott.
