Cowboys' George Pickens Says He's Excited to 'Run Better Plays' After Steelers Trade

It's safe to say George Pickens is happy to be on the Dallas Cowboys and away from the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"I'm definitely excited to run better plays," the wide receiver told reporters Tuesday while also calling his first practice with his new team a "breath of fresh air" and the "fresh start" he was looking for this offseason.

Dallas acquired Pickens via trade this offseason, and he seems to be making an early impression.

"George Pickens' connection with Dak Prescott is already impressive—the two regularly connecting for chunk plays and having only a single disconnect (incorrect route) as GP learns the playbook," Cowboys insider Patrik Walker observed. "They were putting on a show."

That connection will be key, as Pickens didn't exactly play with a list of the best quarterbacks in the league during his three years in Pittsburgh.

He caught passes from the likes of Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky, Mason Rudolph, Justin Fields and a 36-year-old Russell Wilson. It isn't a stretch to suggest he will be more productive with Prescott, especially since he is also playing alongside a game-changing wide receiver in CeeDee Lamb.

Opposing defenses always have to pay additional attention to Lamb, which opens up space for the rest of the receivers. Pickens never had that type of playmaker alongside him in Pittsburgh, but he still managed to tally 1,140 receiving yards in 2023 and 900 receiving yards in 2024.

Perhaps the plays will truly be better in Dallas with head coach Brian Schottenheimer and offensive coordinator Klayton Adams than they were with the Steelers with head coach Mike Tomlin and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. After all, Smith is someone who has faced criticism at times during his career.

Yet the roster situation in Dallas is also better suited for someone like Pickens to put up major numbers even in his first season with the team.

His comments seem to suggest he expects just that to happen.