George Pickens, the dude who was tearing up the league last season, is putting up numbers that are barely recognizable in the early going. The Cowboys wide receiver, who was a massive part of the conversation all offseason with those contract talks, is now averaging just 7.6 yards per catch this season.
What Happened to the Pickens We Know?
Last season, the guy was a beast. Pickens averaged 15.4 yards per catch, pulling in 22 grabs for at least 20 yards. That kind of production put him right up there with the elite wideouts in the entire NFL. This year? It’s a totally different story. That 7.6 yards per catch is a massive hit to his production.
The ‘Mirage’ Dallas Coach Brian Schottenheimer Sees
So, should the Cowboys faithful be hitting the panic button? Not according to ESPN reporter Todd Archer. He’s calling Pickens’ slow start a total “mirage.” Archer says opposing defenses are “keeping the lid on Pickens,” which makes sense given how dominant he was last year. But there’s also the fact that Pickens had two drops in Week 1 against the Giants. Still, Dallas coach Brian Schottenheimer isn’t worried. He stressed after those drops that everything with Pickens will be “fine,” and a two-game sample just hasn’t changed that belief.
Look, two games in the NFL is barely a blip on the radar. The season is still super young. After the monster year Pickens had last season, there’s every reason to believe he’ll bounce back and get right back to that elite level. But if this trend keeps up for several more games? Then, yeah, the conversation shifts. Then, we can definitely start to worry. Until then, the Cowboys seem to be keeping their cool, betting on their star receiver to find his groove.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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