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Ex-Cowboys Player Doesn't Hold Back On George Pickens Trade

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated May 7, 2025 10:35 AM ET

The Dallas Cowboys made a big splash Wednesday morning, acquiring George Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Jourdan Lewis seems relieved that he sidestepped the possibility of teaming with the wide receiver.

Lewis spent eight seasons in Dallas before signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars this offseason. During the 2024 season, he had an unfriendly on-field encounter with Pickens.

As the Cowboys closed a 20-17 win over the Steelers in Week 5, Pickens grabbed Lewis' facemask and yanked him to the ground. Based onLewis's' response to his former team's move, they apparently never made amends.

"Confirmation, God wanted me in Jacksonville," Lewis wrote.

Lewis secured a game-winning fumble recovery before running up to Pickens and saying something to his face. The NFL fined the cornerback more for taunting than they docked Pickens for the needless facemask tug.

As he walked to the locker room after the game, Lewis called Pickens "weak" and said the Steelers "need a receiver."

The Steelers eventually took his advice and acquired DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks. They quickly locked up the two-time Pro Bowler to a $132 million extension.

Meanwhile, Pickens was slated to enter a contract year following a turbulent 2024. The Dallas game highlighted potential concerns about the 24-year-old's reliability.

A week after tallying a season-high 113 receiving yards, Pickens caught three of seven targets for 26 yards. He played in just 58.6 percent of the offense's snaps, the lowest rate of his three-year career.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin insisted that he was keeping Pickens fresh to maximize his time on the field. Then again, Steelers general manager Omar Khan said before the draft that they weren't looking to trade Pickens.

On Wednesday, Pittsburgh sent a 2026 third-round pick and 2027 fifth-round pick to Dallas for Pickens and a 2026 sixth.

Pickens posted 2,877 yards and 13 touchdowns in three seasons with the Steelers. Averaging 16.3 yards per catch, he gives Dak Prescott a notable playmaker beyond star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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