Pickens focused on helping Cowboys, not Steelers exit

George Pickens is looking to move forward after being traded from the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Dallas Cowboys earlier this week.

"I'm where I'm at right now. I can't look into the past," Pickens said during his introductory press conference Thursday, according to Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Dallas acquired Pickens and a 2027 sixth-round pick from the Steelers on Wednesday in exchange for a 2026 third-round selection and a 2027 fifth-rounder.

The 24-year-old wideout said "business" is what led to his exit from Pittsburgh, according to ESPN's Todd Archer.

However, Pickens declined to elaborate on the split or address speculation that maturity concerns played a role.

"I can't change anyone's opinion," Pickens said, per Harris. "Personally, I just continue to grow. ... I'm just trying to build a winning culture, which they already have at the Cowboys. I'm just glad to be joining."

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said last season that Pickens needed to "grow up in a hurry" after he received multiple unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. Rival defenders have also admitted that provoking Pickens is part of their strategy due to his reputation for having a short temper.

Despite entering the final year of his rookie deal, Pickens said he's focused on making the most of this upcoming season rather than contract negotiations.

"I'm kind of where my feet are right now, to be honest," Pickens said. "I'm not thinking about contract talk. I'm glad to be here with the Cowboys."

Pickens joins All-Pro receiver CeeDee Lamb in Dallas, a pairing he says will "be good for me and him."

"Schematically, you can't double everybody," Pickens said.

He also praised quarterback Dak Prescott, who he said was among the first Cowboys to contact him following the trade.

"Just watching his game over the years, he's a very prolific quarterback. Smart quarterback at that," Pickens said, per Archer.

Pickens has 174 receptions, 2,841 yards, and 12 touchdowns across three NFL seasons, all with Pittsburgh. He led the league in yards per catch (18.1) in 2023.