George Pickens knew it was going to happen sooner or later.

After going on a monster run with the Dallas Cowboys earlier in the season, a couple of games with low production immediately brought back the kind of conversation that surrounded him with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Questions about his effort and play quickly emerged, with many saying he’s a locker room problem. But is any of that true?

Pickens admits it felt like NFL world was waiting on a bad game

On Wednesday, Pickens spoke to the media for the first time since the Cowboys’ loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 14, in which his performance raised questions about his effort. He was asked about CeeDee Lamb’s comments on the NFL media and fans waiting for him to have a bad day so they could knock him for his attitude like when he was in Pittsburgh.

“That’s definitely what it felt like,” Pickens said. “But I can’t really get into that, everybody has a job to do.”

Pickens added he knows the media needs to generate clicks and reactions, and said he’s used to the noise.

“It’s starting to get kind of old, honestly,” Pickens said.

Cowboys Nation should be happy with Pickens’ response

Pickens’ responses to multiple reporters’ questions on facing the recent criticism of his effort and play were short and to the point. He kept his cool throughout the interview—as he has done all year long. That alone should be enough reason for Cowboys fans to celebrate.

The former Steelers receiver people talk about going immature and lazy when things are not going his way? He’s nowhere to be seen. The only questionable decision Pickens has made off the field is blasting Richard Sherman on social media for his criticism of him following the loss to the Detroit Lions. But at least that was taking aim at Sherman after he put him on blast on national TV. Pickens immediately took down the Instagram story.

But within the locker room? Everyone is going to bat for Pickens and judging by his media availability, there’s nothing to be concerned about. Considering he’s likely sticking around in 2026 via a franchise tag or contract extension, that feels like a win.

NFL teams are doubling Pickens

As for the lower production, Pickens attributes it to double coverage from opposing defenses.

“Just double coverage,” Pickens said. “It’s really that simple—double coverage. Offensively, all we can do is try to execute at a high level.”

To further show Pickens’ maturity, you can’t even perceive frustration from his side despite the lower number of catches. In fact, he’s “super happy” for how the double coverage has benefitted his teammates.

“[Defenses are] keeping a guy inside and a guy outside, or keeping a guy over the top and a guy underneath—just on one side of the field, which is mainly, like I said, a huge product of CeeDee (Lamb) going crazy and (Ryan Flournoy) going crazy,” Pickens said. “I’m super proud of those guys.”

Jerry Jones says he’s still in on Pickens

In a recent interview on 105.3 The Fan, Jones shut down any notion that he’s unhappy with Pickens’ recent play or effort. Asked if recent showings had changed his mind about keeping Pickens around in 2026, Jones had a simple answer:

“No.”

Pickens isn’t going anywhere just yet.

Dallas Cowboys News

Dallas Cowboys provide multiple injury updates ahead of Week 16, but there’s more to the news than it seems

They might not play.

Mauricio Rodriguez