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Cowboys George Pickens Faces Career-Defining Season In 2 Major Ways

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated May 11, 2025 10:50 AM ET

New Dallas Cowboys receiver George Pickens comes to Brian Schottenheimer's offense in 2025 after being traded by the Pittsburgh Steelers, looking to reinvent himself.

Having been a productive receiver in the vanilla Steelers offense with a host of quarterbacks being rotated through the starting role, George now comes to Dallas with Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb - two big upgrades.

The other thing is that Pickens is playing on the final year of his rookie deal, and has already made it clear, he's not interested in talking about a contract right now - he wants his play to do the talking.

And it is because of that that Bleacher Report has named Pickens one of eight players with the most on the line in 2025.

"George Pickens already had a lot on the line in 2025—the mercurial wide receiver is playing on the final season of his rookie deal," Bleacher Report writes. "Pickens has been afforded a second chance of sorts with the trade to Dallas. How he handles that second chance is going to have a massive impact on his career moving forward."

In truth, Pickens likely couldn't have come to a better situation.

He's alongside a true No. 1 receiver, and one of the best in football, who will take a lot of the defense's attention, and he has Prescott, easily the best quarterback he's played with in his three years in the league.

Plus, with Dallas wanting to establish the run and then work play-action off of it, Pickens could see favorable matchups.

So, in a contract year, it appears Pickens has everything he needs to make it count.

That contract thing is just one of 2 ways 2025 is going to be career-defining.

Pickens has a chance for his first huge contract for 2026 ...

And he has a chance to fix a broken reputation.

Another bona fide receiver next to him, and a top-10-ish quarterback in Prescott to deliver him the ball in ways no other quarterback George has played with can.

And the hope is that in a contract year, with a lot on the line, Pickens comes through with flying colors and earns that big contract next offseason.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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