Dallas Cowboys players and coaches alike have spoken highly of wide receiver George Pickens since the offseason after acquiring him in a trade from the Pittsburgh Steelers.
It didn’t take long for him to become a fan favorite in Arlington, but with the regular season now underway, the positivity that tends to come with every offseason is being tested.
Pickens and the Cowboys hit an early-season low in Week 3’s brutal 31-14 loss to the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Sunday, and the standout wide receiver was partly to blame.
MORE: 3 winners & 4 losers from Cowboys’ unbelievable loss to Bears in Week 3
While the Cowboys secondary was the primary reason for the dreadful loss, Pickens didn’t exactly help Dallas’ chances at the start of the fourth quarter after dropping a perfectly-placed pass from Dak Prescott that bounced up in the air and into the arms of Bears linebacker Tremaine Edmunds at the Chicago 27-yard line.
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the first half at Soldier Field. / Matt Marton-Imagn Images
After the critical turnover, cameras caught Pickens on the sideline slamming his helmet onto the ground in frustration as teammates attempted to calm him down.
With the Cowboys in position to cut in to the deficit, Pickens’ mishap ended what was Dallas’ last real chance at putting together a comeback. The offense failed to score for the entire second half despite getting into the red zone on the game’s final two drives.
George Pickens is CRASHING OUT on the bench. pic.twitter.com/YDolklJVDX
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 21, 2025
It wasn’t all bad for Pickens, who had a one-handed touchdown grab in the first half that allowed the Cowboys to tie the game at 14-14 after a two-point conversion. He finished with five catches for 68 yards and the score while serving as Dallas’ WR1 after CeeDee Lamb exited early with an ankle injury.
MORE: Dak Prescott’s performance in Week 3 loss cannot happen moving forward for Cowboys
Though Lamb avoided long-term injury, it’s unlikely he will be 100 percent headed into Week 4’s highly-anticipated matchup against the Green Bay Packers and Micah Parsons.
With Lamb’s status uncertain, Pickens will have to quickly flush Week 3 away and bounce back if the Cowboys are to have any chance at taking down the Packers on Sunday.
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens laughs before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at AT&T Stadium. / Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
— Enjoy free coverage of the Cowboys from Dallas Cowboys on SI —
Dallas Cowboys vs Chicago Bears Week 3: Betting odds, preview
3 Dallas Cowboys who must improve in Week 3 vs. Chicago Bears
3 reasons Cowboys should immediately call Bengals for Trey Hendrickson trade
3 defensive backs Cowboys could target to help struggling secondary
Updated 2026 NFL Draft order for Dallas Cowboys after thrilling Week 2 OT win
PHOTOS: Meet Kleine Powell, star of Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Netflix doc