Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones discussed criticism surrounding wide receiver George Pickens’ effort during the team’s 44-30 loss to the Detroit Lions on Thursday night.
“He didn’t have the game he’s been having,” Jones said on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas. “But effort, I would be very careful with him going there.”
Pickens caught five of his nine targets for just 37 yards, representing his lowest yardage total since Week 1.
Richard Sherman called out the receiver for his effort on the Prime Video postgame show as they Cowboys attempted to climb back from a double-digit deficit late in the fourth quarter.
It was an uncharacteristically quiet performance from Pickens, who is in the midst of a breakout 2025 campaign. He’s hauled in 78 receptions for a career-high 1,179 yards and eight touchdowns this season, his first in Dallas after he was traded by the Pittsburgh Steelers in May.
Pickens will be looking to end the 2025 season on a high note, as he’s playing on the final year of his rookie contract and is slated to hit free agency in 2026.
If his effort continues to be questioned to close out the year, it could linger in Jones’ mind during future contract negotiations.
