Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer issued an exciting statement about WR George Pickens on Wednesday (7/29).
According to Schottenheimer, Pickens is “dialed in,” which is tremendous news for the Cowboys.
“He was as dialed in in meetings as I’ve seen him since he’s been here, just following along, questions,” Schottenheimer said about Pickens, via ESPN. “I think you’re going to see a very motivated George Pickens going into the season. And I think that’s great news for us and maybe bad news for the rest of the league.”
Pickens was late to team meetings last season, so Schottenheimer’s “dialed in” quote about the former Pittsburgh Steelers wideout is quite notable. It appears Pickens is motivated to have a special 2026 season so he can get paid next offseason.
The Cowboys signed Pickens to the franchise tag, as the two sides couldn’t agree to a long-term deal. Pickens will make $27.3 million next season. He had a very productive 2025 campaign, finishing with 93 catches for 1,429 receiving yards and nine receiving touchdowns. The 25-year-old made his first Pro Bowl.
Dallas went only 7-9-1 last season and missed the playoffs for the second straight year despite Pickens’ effective campaign. Even though the Cowboys opted not to engage in negotiations on a long-term deal with Pickens this offseason, owner Jerry Jones made it clear to reporters on Tuesday (7/28) that he’s a big, big fan of the Georgia product.
“He’s a valued part of our aspirations and our potential success. The combination that he has with the other talent on the team, I think will make you feel pretty positive about what we’ve got a chance to do,” Jones said about Pickens. “For the way we have worked this out is the way it fit. I’m proud that he will work it that way. I’m proud that he will. I hope that he comes out here and is the most prolific, successful receiver in the NFL this year. And how would you like to be a free agent and with his credentials and step out there and have a year like that? So I wish all of that because if that happens, that was good for us.”
Pickens enters next season with 267 receptions for 4,270 receiving yards and 21 receiving touchdowns with the Steelers and Cowboys. It will be fascinating to see what type of numbers he puts up in Year 2 with the Cowboys, who open the 2026 season against the New York Giants.
