Jerry Jones addresses George Pickens' alleged lack of effort in Cowboys' loss to Lions

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens has come under fire for an alleged lack of effort during the club's 44-30 loss at the Detroit Lions on Thursday night that dropped Dallas to 6-6-1. 

During a Friday appearance on Dallas sports radio station 105.3 The Fan, Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones addressed Pickens' performance at Detroit's Ford Field. 

Jerry Jones would be "very careful" about questioning George Pickens' effort vs. the Lions

"He didn't have the game that he's been having, but effort? I would be very careful with him going there," Jones said, per Tommy Yarrish of the Cowboys' website. "This guy is explosive with his temperament, and I say that in a positive way. So I don't think so much it was effort, but I don't necessarily have a good explanation as to why he didn't show up more." 

Some have blamed Pickens and not quarterback Dak Prescott for an early third-quarter interception that was followed by Detroit completing a short touchdown drive. With fellow Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb sidelined due to a concussion, Pickens got behind two Detroit defenders late in the fourth quarter but curiously made no real play on what seemed to be a catchable deep pass. 

Additionally, Pickens was flagged for offensive pass interference and a face mask. He ended the game with just five receptions on nine targets for 37 yards and no scores. 

During the Prime Video "Thursday Night Football" postgame show, former All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman ripped Pickens for looking "uninterested in playing football." While Pickens later acknowledged that he "can’t just disappear" during a game, he also suggested that "the type of defense the Lions were running" limited his production. 

Is Jerry Jones concerned about George Pickens after the loss to the Lions?

A Thursday report about some of Pickens' off-the-field habits, coupled with his performance against the Lions, left individuals such as Sherman wondering if Dallas "can trust paying $40M to" the 24-year-old during the upcoming offseason. Pickens is in the final year of his contract, but could be retained for 2026 via the franchise tag. 

"I'm not at all concerned going forward about Pickens," Jones added during the segment. "I would agree with you, I thought we would have more with him than we did."

Questions about Pickens' long-term future can be punted down the road, as Jones will first need the fourth-year pro to focus on Dallas' Week 15 home game versus the Minnesota Vikings (4-8). The Cowboys may need wins and some help to claim a wild-card playoff berth by the time Week 18 wraps up. 

As of Friday afternoon, the ESPN Football Power Index gave Dallas a 7.6% chance to make the playoffs.