It was only a matter of time before the George Pickens we witnessed time and again for the Pittsburgh Steelers revealed his true self to the Dallas Cowboys. That happened in Week 6. The talented wide receiver showed lackluster effort on multiple routes and as a blocker on running plays.
And Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer could no longer bite his tongue.
On Thursday, Schottenheimer was asked about Pickens and what the receiver can do to get more involved. The frustrated head coach didn't hold back.
"He needs to understand that he impacts us in the running game as well. He’s got to do the same thing in the run game, picking up safeties and blocking corners, just like Javonte (Williams) does, picking up blitzes so he can catch balls.
“That’s part of the team-first mindset, and GP does understand that. When he’s going, they’re going to play soft inside. When he’s not going, then the safeties get pretty good runs at our backs. And that’s got to improve.”
The Dallas Cowboys are finally getting a taste of the George Pickens effort issues the Pittsburgh Steelers dealt with for years
Steelers fans were all too familiar with the lackluster effort Pickens gave Pittsburgh at times—especially late in his Steelers tenure. Several games instantly come to mind.
Against the Colts in Indianapolis in Week 4 of the 2024 season, running back Jaylen Warren would have had a walk-in rushing touchdown, but Pickens decided not to block his man at all. This led to Warren getting stuffed near the goal line. Two plays later, the Steelers were forced to go for it on fourth down.
Thankfully, they scored, but Pittsburgh still lost 24-27, in large part due to Pickens dismal effort throughout the game.
However, Pickens' most egregious performance in Pittsburgh, from an effort and antics standpoint, came in his final regular-season game in black and gold. Against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 18 of the 2024 season, with playoff seeding on the line, Pickens put up the worst display of effort imaginable. Pickens also had an egregious taunting penalty that wiped out a fantastic 21-yard catch-and-run.
In this contest, Pickens reeled in just one catch on six targets for zero yards in the Steelers' 17-19 loss in the regular-season finale. Pickens' utter lack of effort was on full display, and this no doubt contributed to him ultimately getting traded to the Cowboys the following offseason.
It may have taken a while, but the Cowboys are finally seeing the disrespectful lack of effort Steelers fans saw too often—and it's quietly hurting their team. When Pickens takes off routes or chooses to give a half-hearted effort as a blocker, it impacts everyone (and it's not great for team morale).
Schottenheimer was well aware that the energy wasn't there for Pickens in Week 6 against the Green Bay Packers, and his overall performance was lackadaisical. This was amplified when the ball wasn't coming his way.
Just wait; it can get so much worse (as we are well aware).
If the Dallas Cowboys continue to lose football games, and if there are stretches in which Pickens doesn't get the ball often, Cowboys fans will witness childish pouting as they've never seen before.
While things could turn around, Schottenheimer's blunt comments about Pickens makes you wonder if the Cowboys might think twice about keeping him around beyond the 2026 season—and we can only assume this only hurts Pickens' chances of earning a rich new deal.
It's times like these that Steelers fans can find a reason to be thankful that Pickens isn't still in Pittsburgh, showcasing little to no effort and giving questionable responses to the media.
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