George Pickens didn’t take any parting shots at the Pittsburgh Steelers after they traded him to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2026 third round-pick and a 2027 pick swap.
Instead, the 24-year-old receiver accepted his fate.
“I’m where I’m at right now. I can’t look into the past,” Pickens told reporters Thursday in his first comments since the trade happened, per PennLive’s Nick Farabaugh. “This game is just as much of a business as it is football. 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.”
Pickens’ terrific talent made him the No. 1 receiver in Pittsburgh’s offense last season, but the headaches he caused simply became too much for the Steelers to handle. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin called out Pickens for his immaturity at points this past season.
The character issues that surround Pickens made some teams shy away from trading for him, but not the Cowboys.
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“I can’t change anyone’s opinion,” Pickens said. “Me, personally, I just continue to grow. Everyone in the world has to grow as you get older and older. I’m just trying to build a winning culture, which they already have at the Cowboys. I’m just glad to be joining.”
The Cowboys now pair Pickens with CeeDee Lamb to upgrade Dallas’ passing attack. Pickens last season totaled 59 receptions for 900 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games.
Featured image via Scott Galvin/Imagn Images