Cowboys tried to land another wide receiver before George Pickens trade with Steelers.
The George Pickens trade almost never happened because the Dallas Cowboys were in talks with the Baltimore Ravens to land wide receiver Rashod Bateman.
According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Cowboys called about Bateman, but the talks never went far enough for the Cowboys to feel confident they would land him. Instead, they pushed to land Pickens, and offered a third-round pick to get it done ultimately.
Chris Eubank Jr is willing to fight Conor Benn again if the public are interestedChris Eubank Jr is willing to fight Conor Benn again if the public are interested
“During their pursuit of a receiver, the Cowboys also looked into a trade for Ravens WR Rashod Bateman. Those talks didn’t go far, and Dallas ultimately struck a post-draft deal with the Steelers for George Pickens. Dallas’ search for another receiver was a months-long process,” Schultz wrote.
After years of investment in the wide receiver position, Bateman and Zay Flowers have become the one-two punch for Lamar Jackson’s offense. Bateman is coming off his best and healthiest season as a pro, playing in all 17 games fo the first time in his career and posting career highs in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns.
The Ravens never seriously considered trading him. As for Pickens, the Steelers and Cowboys seemed engaged in conversations for a long time, but it was only when the Cowboys upped their offer the Steelers finally decided it was worth it to make the move.
“You know, the trade sort of happened quickly. We had some people inquired during the draft, nothing that really made sense. And Cowboys reached out earlier this week. And they proposed something for us to think about,“ general manager Omar Khan said. ”We had conversations internally. You know, I also had some conversations with George’s agent, Dave (Mulugheta), who I have a good relationship with. And we discussed where things have been with George, where they are and where things could go with George. And this trade makes sense for everyone.”
The second-round pick of the Steelers in the 2022 NFL Draft, both he and Kenny Pickett, the team’s first two picks from that draft, never finished their rookie contracts with the team.
Pickens missed three games with a hamstring injury, dampening what looked to be a second-straight 1000-yard season with the third-year wide receiver.
He averaged 15.3 yards per reception with 59 receptions for 900 yards on the year. In each of the last two seasons, Pickens has eclipsed 15 yards per catch and 900 yards as the focus of the team’s passing offense.
Report: Cowboys looked into a trade for Rashod Bateman…
The Cowboys traded for Steelers receiver George Pickens, but they had interest in another AFC North receiver, too.
Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports that the Cowboys made a call to the Ravens about the availability of Rashod Bateman. Those talks “didn’t go far,” per Schultz.
The Cowboys gave up a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick for Pickens and a 2027 seventh-round pick.
Pickens has better stats with 174 catches for 2,841 yards and 12 touchdowns in three seasons to Bateman’s 138 receptions for 1,923 yards and 13 touchdowns in four seasons. Bateman, though, has less risk and is under contract for two seasons instead of one.
Pickens will give Dallas a complimentary receiver to go with CeeDee Lamb, the first time Lamb has had that since 2021.
