Cowboys' Schottenheimer Talks George Pickens' Role, Changes to Offense for 2026 NFL Season

Coming off the best season of his career in 2025, the Dallas Cowboys want to keep opposing defenses on their toes by changing some of the ways they use George Pickens.

Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler they are intending to move Pickens all around rather than simply having him play the X position.

"He can play multiple spots," Schottenheimer said. "I know in Pittsburgh he got frustrated a little bit because he was always in one spot. He was always the X. We move him around a bunch. But the sky is the limit for GP."

Fowler also noted Schottenheimer explained he plans to "tweak" the Cowboys offense between 15 to 25 percent from what it was last season in an attempt "to keep sophisticated defenses guessing."

Per Pro Football Focus (h/t Mauricio Rodriguez of A to Z Sports), Pickens ranked 90th out of 91 receivers with at least 42 targets last season in percentage of snaps out of the slot (10 percent).

For perspective, Pickens was in the slot for 23 percent of his snaps during his final season with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024.

One reason for Pickens' decrease in slot snaps is CeeDee Lamb is at his best playing from that spot, but he is more than capable when he lines up on the outside.

The benefit of having both Pickens and Lamb is few teams in the NFL can matchup with both of them. Dak Prescott is not afraid to throw a seam ball in the middle of the field.

Given how well Pickens controls his body and wins at the catch point, putting him in the middle of the field could open up more big plays for a Cowboys offense that ranked seventh in points scored last season.

Pickens will almost certainly welcome the chance for more potential easy targets as he looks to secure a long-term contract next offseason after receiving the franchise tag this year.

The 25-year-old finished 2025 with 93 receptions, 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns. He set career-highs in all three categories.

Schottenheimer will get to show off his new offense for the first time when the Cowboys open the 2026 regular season against the New York Giants on Sunday Night Football.