FRISCO, Texas — George Pickens said Wednesday that the Dallas Cowboys locker room welcomed him more openly than any he had joined before, and that CeeDee Lamb took pride in making that happen.
“I feel like for him personally, he wanted to do it, just to intern a new guy in. But a lot of guys on the team, that’s why I was saying, last year the guys on the team were more welcoming than I’ve ever experienced from any other team,” Pickens said. “Just because when I came here they were all open arms, trying to get me hooked up on the playbook as fast. But definitely CeeDee, I feel like he took pride in that.”
Dallas acquired Pickens from Pittsburgh on May 7, 2025. He had spent his first three NFL seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who drafted him 52nd overall out of Georgia in 2022.
Pickens went on to lead the Cowboys in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. He played all 17 games and finished with 93 catches, 1,429 yards, and 9 scores, all career highs, and made his first Pro Bowl.
What George Pickens Says He Brings To The Cowboys
Making guys laugh is part of what Pickens counts as his contribution.
“Yeah, yeah, definitely. I feel like my personality kind of groups everybody together. You know what I mean?” Pickens explained. “And definitely I feel like you need a person like me on the team.”
Pickens said his personality pulls a room together.
“Just definitely courageous. I’ll probably say courageous,” Pickens said. “You know, make some of the guys laugh. A lot of jokes let alone. I can also play ball. I understand football too.”
Lamb sits on the Cowboys’ leadership council for 2026 along with Dak Prescott, Javonte Williams, Jake Ferguson, Tyler Smith, Tyler Booker, Jalen Thompson, Rashan Gary, Bryan Anger, Quinnen Williams, and Kenny Clark. Pickens is not on it, and he is not one of the four captains Brian Schottenheimer announced on Sept. 3.
George Pickens On His Bond With CeeDee Lamb
Pickens said his personality and Lamb’s are similar.
“I definitely say alike. I feel like all receivers have the same little tandems, whether it’s on the field or off the field,” Pickens said. “Let alone me and CeeDee kind of been in games together, clutched games together. He’s been hurt. I’ve been banged up. So definitely a strong brotherhood.”
Both played through injuries last season. Lamb appeared in 14 games and finished with 75 receptions, 1,077 yards, and 3 touchdowns.
“I think it was always, yes, and always kind of genuine, honestly. I feel like I can say the same thing I was saying to him last year this year, or maybe even something new,” Pickens said. “But definitely when I first got here, I feel like our personalities are similar.”
“I feel like when we come out of practice, one’s knee is bothering them, another one’s knee. You feel me? Like we go through the same stuff just being at the same position. So I feel like that makes us super close,” Pickens continued.
Ferguson was second on the team with 82 catches for 600 yards and 8 touchdowns. Lamb was third in receptions in 14 games. Prescott completed 404 of 600 passes for 4,552 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.
Pickens said the energy runs both directions.
“Yeah, and that’s another byproduct of me and CeeDee too, just feeding off of one of each other,” Pickens added. “So actually bonding and then actually giving him fuel and energy.”
The two combined for 2,506 receiving yards, the second-highest total by a wide receiver tandem in the league. Pickens said earlier in the same availability that he considers them the best duo in football.
Dallas opens Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, against the New York Giants. Kickoff is 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC.
