By Sunday 
When the Dallas Cowboys traded for wide receiver George Pickens earlier this offseason, they were hoping for a big-play threat to complement CeeDee Lamb — and maybe a little less drama than what Pickens stirred up in Pittsburgh. So much for that last part.
Turns out, Pickens had a bit more to say about his exit from the Steelers — and he said it. Publicly. Briefly. Then deleted it.
Pickens Says the Quiet Part Out Loud
In a response to a social media post that questioned his behavior during his time with the Steelers, Pickens fired back with a now-deleted comment that stirred the pot.
“Lmaoo, I play for the Cowboys,” he replied. “Now stop reminiscing, bro. And trying to justify the trade, y’all just lost another good player to fake reports like this one.”
But he didn’t stop there. Pickens added:
“I forced buddy. They were gladly keeping me. Have a nice day and a blessed one my guy.”
That single post — quickly deleted but screenshotted into internet immortality — made waves fast. Why? Because it directly contradicts what he and others said at the time of the trade.
Wait, What Happened to “Out of My Control”?
When the Cowboys first acquired Pickens in May in exchange for a 2026 third-rounder and a 2027 fifth-round pick (while getting back a 2027 sixth), he gave a very different story.
“This game is just as much of a business as it is football,” Pickens said then. “It was kind of out of my control. I’m just glad to be here in Dallas and continue the winning culture that they have.”
Meanwhile, Steelers GM Omar Khan had said Pickens never asked to be traded, stating, “We just kind of talked about it, lots of serious conversation, honest conversations… and we just felt that a fresh start for both sides was the right thing.”
Now? Seems like that “fresh start” came with a little push.
New Town, New Narrative?
The Cowboys likely knew what they were getting in Pickens: a supremely talented, emotionally expressive wideout who doesn’t always color inside the lines. Pittsburgh had its moments — including Steelers coach Mike Tomlin once telling Pickens to “grow up” after a couple of unnecessary roughness penalties.
Still, Pickens wants fans and critics alike to reconsider the narrative.
“I’m actually like a chill guy,” he said recently. “It’s like all a big phase of a tornado that’s not even true. I’m a chill guy, and I just love to work.”
Lamb and Pickens: The New Duo in Big D
If there’s one thing Pickens won’t have to do in Dallas, it’s carry the entire load. He’ll line up opposite CeeDee Lamb — one of the best in the game — and has already earned his new teammate’s respect.
“We complement each other very well,” Lamb said. “He’s a tall figure, his ability to go up and get the ball at the highest point is amazing… He’s up there with the [best] guys in the league as far as 50/50 balls, deep threat, anything as far as running routes, it’s pretty good. It’s good to see.”
The Cowboys are betting that the pairing will give them one of the league’s most dangerous receiver duos — and that Pickens will let his hands do most of the talking from here on out.
Russell Wilson Backs His Former Target
And if you’re wondering how Pickens is viewed by those who’ve worked with him? Former Steelers (now Giants) quarterback Russell Wilson had nothing but praise.
“I love George,” Wilson said. “His ability to catch the football is one of a kind. Anything in his vicinity, he’s gonna catch it.”
“He wants to be great… I think he has that in him. I’m always rooting for guys I played with — just not when I play them.”
With Dallas set to face the Giants — and therefore Wilson — twice this season, those matchups just got a bit more interesting.
A Lot to Prove — and to Gain
Pickens enters a contract year with a fresh start, a marquee offense, and every reason to ball out. If he can keep his head down and produce alongside Lamb, Dak Prescott, and company, he could be in for a major payday.
But as this week reminded us — with George Pickens, the football’s not the only thing that moves fast.