OXNARD, Calif. — George Pickens is in a much different boat going into 2025, literally and figuratively speaking. Fresh off of a summer bonding trip with All-Pro quarterback Dak Prescott and other teammates that involved fishing, jet skiing and the like, the newly-acquired highlight creator now enters his first-ever Dallas Cowboys’ training camp surrounded by weapons — having started his career for a Pittsburgh Steelers club that was mostly unsettled at quarterback.
Instantly embraced by Prescott and All-Pro record-setting wideout CeeDee Lamb, as well as the coaching staff, front office and the entirety of the locker room, Pickens is leaning into what he views as a fresh start to his young NFL career.
“It’s a breath of fresh air,” he said with a smile, following the team’s first practice in Oxnard in which he and Prescott put on a bit of a show. “The weather out here but also the guys and the camaraderie, it’s different as well.”
Pickens’ time in Pittsburgh was a mixed bag of jaw-dropping highlights and narratives surrounding his demeanor, but the latter was nixed quickly by Prescott this offseason.
“I think that’s why you should never really listen to what somebody else says about somebody,” he said of Pickens during minicamp. “I think you should find out for yourself who they are and allow them to reveal their character to you. The guy’s been great. He’s been phenomenal.
“It’s a guy that loves football, loves his teammates, and he’s been excited every day that he’s been there. He’s been early, too, so no concerns on the personal matters of G.P. or anything about it. I’m just super excited that he’s on our team. He’s one of us, and he’s our brother, and he’s all about continuing to grow and making sure he’s putting the best out there; and that’s his approach.”
The chemistry between the two, and with Lamb, is building quickly enough to make Bill Nye a tad jealous; and anyone watching Pickens’ interactions in-between reps can attest to just how locked in he is, but also in how he’s extremely personable to his coaches and teammates.”
“CeeDee’s always been that type of guy,” said Pickens. “You just have to know him. Dak, too. You have to know them personally and that’s when the connection changes.”
And as for his first day of training camp in a Cowboys’ uniform?
“I think it was a great day,” he said after practice. “The guys are working and we’re getting our legs back under us. This offense can be great. As long as you keep working, and with all the camaraderie — can’t help but be great.”
Be not misled, however, because Pickens has no plans on being anything less than the dawg (feel free to capitalize the D, considering what school he attended) he’s always been when he straps on his helmet and laces his cleats.
“I don’t wanna go on the football field and try to be a princess,” he said, matter-of-factly. “I’m going to play football. But off the field, I’m a different person, yeah.”
The ingratiation of Pickens into the culture being established by Brian Schottenheimer has been seamless to this point, and it’s also due in large part to a relationship he has with the Cowboys’ head coach that both view as special and endearing.
“He’s been great,” Pickens said of Schotteneheimer before upping the ante on his praise. “He’s probably one of the best coaches I’ve ever had around besides Kirby Smart and other legend coaches that I’ve played for. His energy is one of one. That’s gotta be in somebody.
“You can’t really make that. And he’s just as competitive as we are. He’s a great guy.”
There’s no denying Pickens’ other-worldly ability, and it seems it’s all coming together for him quickly in a situation he couldn’t be more excited to be a part of.
In other words, the Cowboys really float his boat.
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