‘You Have To Trade Him’: Stephen A. Smith Says Dallas Cowboys Should Deal George Pickens

FRISCO, Texas — Stephen A. Smith said the Dallas Cowboys have to trade George Pickens on Monday’s episode of ESPN’s “First Take,” a day after a 33-30 overtime loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Smith pointed to what Pickens and CeeDee Lamb would cost Dallas together.

This season, Pickens is playing on the Cowboys’ one-year, $27.3 million franchise tag. Smith put his next contract at $30 million to $36 million.

“You have to trade him. You have to trade him. Here’s the reason why,” Smith said. “He’s going to cost you at least 30 million, if not 36 million. You’re talking about the combination of him and CeeDee Lamb. You’re talking about the combination of him and CeeDee Lamb costing you anywhere from 66 to 72 million dollars.”

“And they have clearly shown you this year alone with the both of them being who they are, that it’s not enough for the Dallas Cowboys to win football games,” Smith continued. “You have to ultimately adopt a winning formula. You have to figure that out. And having two all-world receivers, you understand, neither of who can be appeased because both of them are there, is problematic. That’s just the reality of the situation. And that’s how I look at it.”

Stephen A. Smith Points To Jeffery Simmons Trade For George Pickens’ Value

Smith made clear he is not calling for Dallas to give Pickens away. To measure what an elite player can bring back, he pointed to a trade from last week.

On Oct. 29, the Chicago Bears acquired defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons and a 2028 fifth-round pick from the Tennessee Titans for 2027 and 2028 first-round picks and a 2027 fourth-round pick.

“I know that George Pickens is big time. I know that he brings a lot to the table, but because he brings so much to the table, fantasize and imagine what you can get for him if you were to trade him,” Smith explained. “It’s about equitable compensation. I’m not saying let him walk away. I’m not saying give him away. I’m saying to you that there are a few teams that need an elite wideout where you can prioritize him being exactly what he wants to be, which is number one, the number one receiver. And in return for that, who knows what you can get?”

“We just saw the Chicago Bears, even though it was for a defensive tackle, give up two first-round picks for Simmons,” Smith added. “The bottom line is, is that who knows what you can get for George Pickens? You have to entertain that if you are the Dallas Cowboys, since with him, you’re still losing football games. It’s not his fault, but you still look.”

Dallas Cowboys Face Nov. 10 Trade Deadline

In 2025, his first season in Dallas after a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pickens set career highs with 93 catches, 1,429 yards, and 9 touchdowns and made his first Pro Bowl. Against Arizona, he caught 2 passes for 48 yards on 4 targets. Lamb caught 7 passes for 58 yards on 11 targets.

Cowboys COO Stephen Jones said Monday on 105.3 The Fan that Lamb and Pickens are “in a good place” and that their opportunities even out over time. The NFL trade deadline is Nov. 10.

Dallas visits the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, Nov. 8, at Lucas Oil Stadium. Kickoff is set for noon CT on FOX.