Dallas Cowboys teammates and coaches are supporting wide receiver George Pickens following his subpar performance in a 44-30 road loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 14. Despite criticism from analyst Richard Sherman, Pickens has shown accountability and strong overall stats this season. The team remains confident in his passion for the game as they prepare for the Minnesota Vikings.
The Dallas Cowboys acquired wide receiver George Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers in the offseason, trading a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick for Pickens and a 2027 sixth-round pick from Pittsburgh. Entering Week 14, Pickens ranked among the NFL's elite: seventh in catches with 78, third in receiving yards with 1,179, tied for fifth in receiving touchdowns with 8, second in receiving first downs with 62, and tied for second in catches of 25 or more yards with 11.
In the Thursday Night Football matchup against the Detroit Lions, the Cowboys fell 44-30. Pickens managed only five catches for 37 yards, his lowest output since 30 yards in Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles. Co-No. 1 receiver CeeDee Lamb left early due to a concussion, increasing the defensive focus on Pickens. He drew penalties for a facemask and an illegal pick, and fumbled near the goal line for the second consecutive week.
Former cornerback Richard Sherman criticized Pickens' effort, calling him 'uninterested' in routes, particularly late in the game. 'If you're going to be a superstar... you can't ever be disengaged,' Sherman said. Pickens responded via Instagram story but did not elaborate publicly.
Cowboys offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer discussed the performance with Pickens, who admitted, 'Hey Schotty, I didn't play my best game.' Schottenheimer expressed no concerns about Pickens' dedication: 'I don't worry about George and his love for football and playing this game.'
CeeDee Lamb defended his teammate, noting the criticism seemed anticipated after Pickens' strong season. 'They were waiting on him to have a bad game,' Lamb said, emphasizing defensive adjustments post-concussion. Lamb related from his own 2023 experience, where Sherman had questioned him before his record-setting year of 135 catches, 1,749 yards, and 12 touchdowns.
Owner and general manager Jerry Jones praised Pickens' competitiveness: 'One of the things that you got to appreciate about George Pickens is his intensity for the competition... I don't have any concern about... his competing and helping us win football games.'
With a 6-6-1 record, the Cowboys need to win their final four games, starting with the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday Night Football, to reach the playoffs. Quarterback Dak Prescott noted Pickens' professional response in practice: 'He's had a hell of a week of practice, and he's going to continue to finish that way.'
