The Pittsburgh Steelers reportedly grew “fed up with” George Pickens earlier than they traded the mercurial extensive receiver to the Dallas Cowboys in Might.
Whereas talking with reporters on Tuesday, first-year Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer indicated that Pickens has been nothing however a mannequin worker over his first a number of months with the group.
“From the time we obtained George and he got here into my workplace, he made it clear that he needs to be coached,” Schottenheimer mentioned, Sports activities Illustrated’s Tyler Reed shared. “He needs to be an incredible participant. He informed me to ‘lean into me, be powerful on me.’ He’s been nothing however unimaginable by way of the best way he’s labored and communicated with us.”
Per the Cowboys’ website, Pickens has been chargeable for a number of highlight-reel performs throughout coaching camp. That is hardly stunning, because the 2022 second-round draft choose flashed every kind of bodily expertise throughout his three seasons with the Steelers.
That mentioned, Pickens additionally developed a status throughout his Pittsburgh tenure along with his
emotional outbursts throughout video games and for looking displeased over a scarcity of targets whereas on the sidelines. Moreover, he allegedly was responsible of a “litany of violations,” corresponding to showing up late for Pittsburgh’s Christmas Day recreation towards the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs final season.
It is no secret that Schottenheimer and Co. hope that having No. 1 receiver CeeDee Lamb as a teammate will assist hold Pickens on his finest conduct by the upcoming season. On Tuesday, Schottenheimer mentioned that “the connection [Pickens] has with CeeDee is particular.”
Pickens has many causes to wish to excel whereas with the Cowboys. He’s within the final year
of his rookie contract and isn’t anticipated to receive an extension earlier than the season begins. In the meantime, DraftKings Sportsbook had Dallas at +180 betting odds to make the playoffs this season as of Wednesday morning.
Pickens will get his first actual alternative to point out the Steelers made a mistake by letting him go along with a prime-time matchup towards the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 4.
