{"id":54503,"date":"2025-05-11T12:01:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-11T12:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=54503"},"modified":"2025-05-11T12:01:00","modified_gmt":"2025-05-11T12:01:00","slug":"cowboys-news-mike-tomlin-reportedly-drove-decision-to-trade-george-pickens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=54503","title":{"rendered":"Cowboys news: Mike Tomlin reportedly drove decision to trade George Pickens"},"content":{"rendered":"

Steelers Mike Tomlin Made Final Decision To Ax George Pickens – Mike Fisher, Athlon Sports<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mike Tomlin reportedly drove the decision to trade Pickens.<\/p>\n

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A new report from longtime Steelers writer and Pat McAfee Show contributor Mark Kaboly claims that none other than head coach Mike Tomlin […] wanted the talented-but-temperamental player out of town.<\/p>\n

\u201cMake no mistake about it, Tomlin \u2014 who has gone out of his way in the past to defend Pickens \u2014 is the one who decided that the Pickens rehabilitation project needed to end a year early,\u201d Kaboly writes. \u201cThe ultimate decision had very little to do with general manager Omar Khan (although he signed off on it, too), and of course it was OK\u2019d by team owner Art Rooney II.\u201d<\/p>\n

Said Tomlin about Pickens late last year, \u201cHe\u2019s just got to grow up, man. This is an emotional game. He\u2019s got a target on his back because he\u2019s George; he understands that. But he\u2019s got to grow up. He\u2019s got to grow up in a hurry.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

George Pickens trade grades: Cowboys best Steelers in landing star wideout – Jordan Dajani, CBSSports<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s pretty clear for CBSSports who came out on top in this trade.<\/p>\n

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Cowboys: A-<\/strong><\/p>\n

At 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, Pickens is a legitimate perimeter threat that should have\u00a0Dak Prescott\u00a0giddy. He will open up things for Lamb, and vice versa. On paper, the Cowboys just created one of the best wide receiver duos in the league. After last year\u2019s incredibly disappointing offseason and the forgettable 2024 campaign that followed, these are the kinds of moves that Cowboys fans want to see from Jerry Jones.<\/p>\n

As for the cons, Pickens has struggled to hold his emotions in check and cost his team yards with penalties, plus he has just one more year remaining on his rookie deal. The Cowboys would be losers in this trade if the 2025 season were to be a failure and Pickens left in free agency. However, this is the kind of swing I like to see from a team that wants to win football games.<\/p>\n

Steelers: B-<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Steelers did trade for and extend DK Metcalf this offseason, so parting ways with Pickens is not the biggest surprise in the world. But if you were to go back in time and tell yourself that the Steelers would be trading Pickens away for a third-round pick, you would be pretty disappointed.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Ranking top NFL pass-catching groups: Cowboys stand out after George Pickens trade – Bucky Brooks, NFL.com<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Cowboys just crack Brooks\u2019 Top 8.<\/p>\n

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8. Dallas Cowboys<\/strong><\/p>\n

The blockbuster trade that brought George Pickens from Pittsburgh to Dallas has thrust the Cowboys into the conversation as one of the most dangerous pass-catching groups heading into 2025. Pickens gives Brian Schottenheimer\u2019s offense a much-needed complement to four-time Pro Bowler CeeDee Lamb, who has carried the passing game over the last four seasons with at least 1,100 yards in each campaign. Pickens should help alleviate the burden on Lamb, while giving Dak Prescott the deep threat needed to punish the defense for tilting the coverage in No. 88\u2019s direction. Moreover, Pickens\u2019 arrival will likely force opponents to utilize more two-deep coverages, leading to increased opportunities for TE Jake Ferguson to make plays between the hashes. Given Pickens\u2019 success when having free access to roam downfield, the former Steeler has a chance to help the offense maximize its potential with Prescott surrounded by high-end playmakers on the perimeter.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Do the Cowboys need more big boys up the middle?<\/p>\n

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DALLAS COWBOYS: INTERIOR DEFENSIVE LINE<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mazi Smith and Osa Odighizuwa are once again the Cowboys\u2018 starting defensive tackles after struggling in run defense last year with 35.9 and 50.8 PFF run-defense grades, respectively. Dallas added Solomon Thomas, but he earned just a 41.5 PFF run-defense grade with the Jets last season. That position group in run defense is a big area of concern for 2025.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Dallas Cowboys signed nine undrafted free agents. Which ones will make the roster? – Nick Harris, Star-Telegram<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve been wondering which college free agent was left at the very top of the Cowboys draft board after the draft, Harris spills the beans.<\/p>\n

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Alijah Clark, Safety, Syracuse<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said in the team\u2019s post-draft press conference that the team had signed its highest-graded undrafted player. That player was Alijah Clark.<\/p>\n

Clark, who played as a downhill safety for the Orange after transferring from Rutgers earlier in his college career, combined for 181 tackles in his final three seasons. He became a bit more active in the pass game in 2024 with his only career interception and five pass deflections.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Cowboys signed Clark to the seventh-richest\u00a0undrafted contract around the league with $234,000 in guaranteed money to go along with a $25,000 signing bonus.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Jerry Jones may have tipped New York Giants-Dallas Cowboys in Week 1 – Serena Burks, Giants Wire<\/strong><\/p>\n

Some schedule speculation.<\/p>\n

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Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was speaking to his rookies at minicamp last week and appeared to let it slip that the two teams will face off in Week 1.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need you to be smart and come in here and dig and go for it and get it out so we can line up against the Giants Week…\u201d Jones said. \u201cCan you do that?\u201d<\/p>\n

Jones trailed off as if he caught himself before saying Week 1, but the implication is there.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

You be the judge whether this has any merit – at the 0:50 mark.<\/p>\n

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