Dallas Cowboys' trade for George Pickens sends a loud and significant message about the franchise going into 2025 season

Sure, the Dallas Cowboys' trade for George Pickens addressed the team's biggest post-draft need. But the acquisition of the former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver is about much more than that.

Just like the Steelers appear to be steamrolling toward full rebuild mode following the move, the Cowboys are sending a loud message themselves: They think they can win in 2025. 

That's significant considering the direction the team has been heading in for a while. By neglecting wide receiver for most of the offseason until Wednesday's trade, Brian Schottenheimer's first year on the job seemed to be the first of a soft rebuild for the Cowboys. Drafting a third first-round offensive lineman in a four-year span fueled the feeling.

But it took one move to shake up the narrative: The Cowboys aren't only getting Pickens but they were willing to give up a third-round draft pick as part of the trade despite having no intentions of extending the playmaker before the season. 

That's telling of their vision for 2025: Were they in rebuild mode, giving up a third-rounder for a one-year rental wouldn't have been the preferred route. Signing Amari Cooper or Keenan Allen would've better fit those plans. Instead, Pickens is a statement move. It's one that carries risk given the receiver's character issues but one that propels the Cowboys' wide receiver room into one of the best in the NFL.