The Dallas Cowboys' bold decision trade for George Pickens didn't come without controversy. His poor body language amid adversity and penchant for committing selfish acts on the field are huge risks to take on. But since Pickens joined he has looked more engaged with teammates and coaches compared to at any point during his Steelers stint.
It felt like a weekly routine for Pickens to be upset with either his teammates, coaches or opponents. While we still have a whole season to go for Pickens to change his habits, there's been nothing to complain about so far.
Brian Schottenheimer has gone on the record several times praising Pickens, and not just for his play on the field, but for his changed, mature attitude. This is something that we never saw with Pickens when he was under Mike Tomlin in Pittsburgh.
“He’s been nothing but incredible in terms of the way he’s worked with us, the way he has communicated with us," Schottenheimer said of Pickens, via Jon Machota of The Athletic.
Cowboys already unlocking the George Pickens version Steelers fans waited years for
Schottenheimer told reporters that Pickens wants his head coach to lean in and be tough on him. This is something that Pickens never said in a Steelers uniform. It shows that Pickens has fully bought into the Cowboys and that he might be willing to re-sign in the offseason.
"From the time we got George and we went in my office and spent some time together, shot some free throws and just talked and got to know each other, he made it very clear, he was like, ‘Coach, I’m thrilled to be here, No. 1. I want to be coached. I want to be great. … Lean into me. Be tough on me. Tell me the things I need to do,'" Schottenheimer said of Pickens.
Tomlin and the Steelers' front office never gave Pickens much to work with. Pickens had to adjust to a quarterback carousel that featured Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph, Justin Fields and Russell Wilson in his first three years.
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Any star young receiver would be frustrated having to navigate a run-heavy offense that also had zero passing identity. While there is no comparing a first-year head coach to a Super Bowl champion in Tomlin, Schottenheimer is clearly winning the Pickens battle over Tomlin.
Tomlin seems like he has almost taken the offense for granted, and Pickens couldn't stand it anymore. The Cowboys came in at the perfect time to rescue Pickens. There is no telling how Pickens' contract year would have unfolded if he was catching passes from Aaron Rodgers this season.
The real winner, though, is sadly Jerry Jones.
Even though he's still under fire for the Micah Parsons debacle, he basically stole a young star away from a longtime AFC rival. Cowboys fans are going to love Pickens this season, and Schottenheimer giving him nothing but glowing reviews each chance he gets shows that Pickens is where he's supposed to be.