Training camp has a different feel for the Dallas Cowboys this year. A lot of that has to do with the energy Brian Schottenheimer and the coaching staff bring for every practice. Another big contributor is the sheer playmaking Dak Prescott finally has at his disposal once again.
The addition of George Pickens changes everything for the offense. While Pickens was eager to get out of Pittsburgh, he seems equally happy to be with the Cowboys. He expressed wanting to sign an extension, but he is likely to play out his contract year and revisit that after the season.
If Pickens' display in training camp is any indication, it might behoove Dallas to get him signed as soon as possible. Either way, the Steelers are surely regretting washing their hands of the former second-round pick.
George Pickens is lighting it up at Cowboys training camp
George Pickens pic.twitter.com/HN0cvpwdXt
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) July 30, 2025
Dak Prescott deserves credit for dropping the throw in a bucket, but that was not an easy catch by any stretch of the imagination and Pickens made it look easy. That's what he does, and it makes you wonder why the Steelers couldn't get rid of him fast enough.
Fortunately for the Cowboys, Pickens feels right at home in Dallas.
“I kind of understand the camaraderie more than I did in Pittsburgh,” Pickens said, via the Dallas Morning News. “The Cowboys are known for the Super Bowl. If they weren’t known for that, then no one would care about the Cowboys. But they’re known for that, then the camaraderie - other people give that same energy because they also want to see it again."
Prescott and Pickens' chemistry has been building steadily, highlighted by their first deep-ball connection during team drills on Monday. Prescott hasn’t aired it out much in camp yet, but that’s likely to change soon given his reputation for one of the NFL’s best deep balls.
Pickens should flirt with a career season in 2025. He's never had a quarterback close to Prescott's caliber, and this time he’ll also benefit from playing alongside a true top-tier receiver. Considering three of the Steelers' top four reception leaders last season were a tight end or running back, Pickens is set up for a major jump in production.
Outside of Pickens, Pittsburgh's top receivers in 2024 were Calvin Austin, Van Jefferson and Mike Williams, who is now retired. Jalen Tolbert is arguably better than all of them and he'll likely be Dallas' WR3 this season.
While we usually stay cautious about camp highlights, the Pickens hype feels absolutely warranted.