Steelers insider explains why George Pickens may be 'happier' with Cowboys

For an article published Tuesday, The Athletic's Jon Machota noted that Dallas Cowboys personnel believe that the organization "has the ideal culture for" wide receiver George Pickens to thrive after acquiring him from the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

During a recent conversation with London sports radio station TalkSport, Steelers reporter Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette expanded on why Pickens has embraced a fresh start this spring. 

"I think there is a legitimate refreshing change of pace for him, just because of the weight of all this — most of them self-inflicted headaches that he caused in Pittsburgh, or headaches that he had to deal with in Pittsburgh. And that naturally engendered a lot of negativity from the fan base, as well," Batko said about Pickens. "I'm sure he was wearing out his welcome on people here, both inside and outside the building, to some extent. So now he goes to a place where you have a different city, a bigger city."

Some Steelers players and coaches reportedly got "fed up with" Pickens by the time his third season with the organization came to an end. The 2022 second-round draft pick allegedly showed up late for practices and for the Steelers' Christmas Day matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs this past December. He developed a reputation for making it known during games that he was upset over a lack of targets, and Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin said the 24-year-old needed to "grow up" after he was flagged twice for unsportsmanlike conduct during a game last season. 

Shortly after news about the Pittsburgh-Dallas trade went public, a report revealed that "the Steelers' unsettled quarterback situation gave Pickens pause about his financial future." Batko indicated that Pickens is pleased to know he'll play out the final year of his rookie contract with Dallas rather than with the AFC North side. 

"You're playing in beautiful 'Jerry World' (AT&T Stadium) instead of gritty and grimy Acrisure Stadium in half of your games," Batko added during his comments about Pickens. "You're in a more pass-happy offense. So, yeah, I think he will be happier." 

Veteran Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb has taken Pickens under his wing, and it seems that first-year Dallas head coach Brian Schottenheimer believes Lamb can help keep Pickens happy and settled through the fall. Batko isn't sure how Pickens will react if his numbers aren't where he wants them to be by late December, but such conversations can be put off for later.