NFL Insider Refutes Cowboys George Pickens Diva Reputation

Now that the Dallas Cowboys have found their potential missing puzzle piece to an offense of versatility in second-option receiver George Pickens, the challenge is figuring out how he fits into the puzzle off the field.

Will he get along with his teammates? Will he cooperate at training camp? Will he complain or fight or blame at points during the season?

These are all valid concern. That's because these acts were all seen from him during his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the three seasons he's been in the NFL.

So, can the Cowboys fix him? One insider think it's not as hard a fix as people think.

NFL analyst Pete Schrager, speaking on ESPN's Get Up, reacted to the news with a rather rare endorsement of Pickens' personality.

"And I would like to correct some people," Schrager says. "Some people think they he's a diva, or he's cantankerous...

"I talked to the Steelers folks. George Pickens is demonstrative on the field, but he is not an un-coachable player. In fact, he does have a great way about him in the locker room and is very well-liked in Pittsburgh."

Pickens, who is just a tender 24 years old and entering the final year of his rookie contract, may not sound like an issue in this report, but the facts remain that in three seasons, Pickens has racked up 10 fines worth over $120,000.

That behavior is no slouch or something to brush over, even if there are some "good guy" reports.

The Cowboys know this. However, wherever he falls on the "good guy" scale, there are a lot of reasons why Pickens may clean up his attitude troubles ... and why Dallas can be confident he will.

Maybe a change of scenery will do the trick. He will finally have a reliable and prolific quarterback to throw to him in Dak Prescott - who is by far Pickens' best QB ever.

The new Cowboys coaching staff led by Brian Schottenheimer has been built with a leadership qualities priority for the last two months. Maybe that rebuilt culture can settle Pickens' quick fuse.

Maybe him playing in a contract year will force an assertive "prove-it" approach that will keep him on the straight and narrow.

Whatever it is, Dallas viewed Pickens as an opportunity - at least for the 2025 season - they could not pass up on because he provides offensive firepower the team greatly needed.

If they choose to sign him long-term down the line, that will prove there has been a benefit realized.

If not? It's a one-year rental at pretty a costly price. Dallas will want to do everything in its power to avoid that.

But after a report like this, you have to wonder:

If he was so well-liked in the Pittsburgh locker room, why was he traded away in the first place?