Big Trade? More Targets? Why Are Cowboys Talking In Circles About George Pickens?

Dallas Cowboys receiver George Pickens continues to be a focal point in the aftermath of the loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

With Pickens not being utilized as much as many thought he would be in 2026, plus him even being off the field at crucial times, it is all very puzzling.

Just two receptions against Arizona from four targets isn't enough for a player of Pickens' caliber. And the week prior, George had just four catches on six targets.

Currently ranked 16th among all receivers in targets, the Cowboys simply have to get George involved more in the passing game.

Against Arizona, he had just one target for the entire half. That's it. 

READ MORE:  Loser Mentality? Jerry Jones Stunningly Reveals Cowboys 'Conservative' Mindset

In the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles the week prior, Pickens managed three catches for 54 yards on five targets. That's more like it.

So amid trade gossip ahead of the Nov. 10 deadline - and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones trying to put a lid on those - how do the Cowboys get No. 3 involved more?

"Yeah, again, move him around," Schottenheimer said. "These are the conversations we have daily. He's such a big part of what we're doing as a football team and as an offense to get him involved. You see the playmaking ability on the big play that got called back because of a holding. Moving him around a little bit is something that we've talked a lot about."

There is something that I don't quite understand.

If Pickens is "such a big part of what we're doing," then why has it been a consistent theme that he has hardly been involved in the first halves of games? Not to mention, with the game on the line against Arizona, he wasn't even on the field for any of the three plays?

But surely Pickens is part of the plan, right? It is just that the Cowboys, right now, for whatever reason, are struggling to get him into games early.

“If I showed you the call sheet, and you saw the targets for him, the targets for 88, it fills the entire back of my call sheet," Schotteneheimer said of Pickens. "Again, when you have two of them, it's going to get spread around a little bit.

"CeeDee and George both having good years. CeeDee's numbers are incredible. But again, George is the guy that we're focused on, knowing we gotta get him going more and better, and that starts with me as the play-caller.”

READ MORE:  Eagles Announce Cowboys Ex QB Joe Milton As New Starter

CeeDee's numbers are incredible because in the last three weeks, he's gotten over 10+ targets in each game. Pickens? Just once.

For a player you are paying $27 million for the season, you want him involved nearly as much as Lamb.  We know what sort of weapon Pickens is, and maybe the reason he has been quiet is that he's banged up.

Or maybe it is just that Schottenheimer and Co. aren't utilizing him to the best of their ability. That's not what an "elite play-caller" does, right?

Either way, Dallas knowing it has to be Pickens involved, yet consistently doesn't, is a rather head-scratching thing to think about.

But one thing is for sure: After Jones' comments on needing Pickens involved more, you would think that against the Indianapolis Colts, George will get his targets.

Maybe.