FRISCO, Texas — George Pickens had five touchdowns in 16 starts for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023. He has five touchdowns through the first five games for the Dallas Cowboys in 2025. It has been just that productive for the Georgia product and former second-round pick with All-Pro quarterback Dak Prescott throwing the ball and head coach Brian Schottenheimer coordinating the plays.
So when Pickens was spotted in the tunnel jumping up and down as he eagerly awaited Prescott to come off of the field after the victory over the New York Jets, his elation was genuine, and though he said was was because the Cowboys win — a true statement, indeed — it's also likely because he's happier than he's ever been at the NFL level.
But, as he explains it, there wasn't a time when that wasn't true in Pittsburgh.
"That's the thing —I feel like I was always having fun," Pickens said as the Cowboys prepare to visit the Panthers. "I just feel like the narrative never showed me having fun. But I feel like, right now, it's just a good thing, you know, for the team. Like I said, all of us collectively, we are just working to get better every day."
Pickens is the consummate locker room guy in Dallas, and his production on the field makes it all that much more rewarding for a team that decided to trade for him in May. He is currently on pace for a career-high 1,219 receiving yards and a whopping 17 touchdowns, and while those numbers will likely turn down a smidge when All-Pro wideout CeeDee Lamb returns from a high ankle sprain in the next week or so, the fact remains that Pickens is the real deal.
He shows patience when awaiting his turn to make a play, and celebrates when others, like Ryan Flournoy during his breakout game against the Jets, become the hot hand, always cheering and being a leader in the brotherhood that exists within the Cowboys' locker room.
"That's something he's been grinding for, you know, for a long time," he said of Flournoy. "He's just getting an opportunity now, and exploiting it. What did he have? 114 [yards]? Yeah, he's exploiting the opportunity, and he's been working the whole time, so I'm super proud of Flo."
It's been revealed by not only Prescott, but also by players like All-Pro left guard Tyler Smith that Pickens is often one of the most charged up players in the huddle during games, constantly reassuring his teammates that no matter what the score might be, and no matter how many punches they take, all they have to do is be the one to land the final haymaker.
So when hearing of comments made this week by former Cowboys' running back Rico Dowdle — that his former team better "buckle up" after his 200+ yard game against the Miami Dolphins last week — Pickens was unmoved, and unwavering in one simple fact: if you stay ready, you never have to get ready.
"Nah, we're buckled up every week, bro," he said. "I don't really know what he meant by that. I just know we're gonna try to come out there to dominate and compete."
