Cowboys COO Stephen Jones gave a rather interesting answer when asked about Pickens' performance in Detroit.
The Dallas Cowboys lost 44-30 to the Detroit Lions on Thursday to drop to 6-6-1 and see their playoff hopes take a huge hit in the process.
But that wasn't the main headline to come out of the game.
It was George Pickens and his performance.
Pickens wasn't his usual, energetic self; he didn't appear to be going full speed on some routes. Other times, he was. Former All-Pro Richard Sherman called George out, stating he looked disinterested and disappeared in the game.
It was alarming for some, that the "old" Pickens returned when Dallas needed him most.
It isn't the end of the world ...
But this is where it gets a little odd.
On 105.3 The Fan, Cowboys COO Stephen Jones was asked if he was concerned about Pickens' performance in Detroit. And while he (sort of) answered the question, he also essentially blew straight past it as well.
"No, they obviously had a plan for George, and the good news is CeeDee was on his way to a career-type day before he had his concussion, and hats off to Flo (Ryan Flournoy), he stepped up, picked up where CeeDee left off," Jones said.
"You can't be in a game like that, and them score touchdowns, and us kick field goals. Then the killer, of course, which we all know, they had three turnovers, and we didn't take the ball away. On top of that, we gave them good field position on special teams. It just led to the situation that we ended up in."
Hmm, right, Stephen. But ...
What about an answer to the actual question?
That was a rather quick answer on George before turning to the rest of the offense and the team performance.
So, George's performance might have ticked Dallas off a little here. Or maybe Stephen is handling the situation with kid gloves, hoping Pickens keeps his cool.
We have suggested that George's night in Detroit - which some find reminiscent of his behavior in Pittsburgh that led to his offseason trade here - will be no doubt brought up in contract talks.
And Stephen, of course, is the point man in those talks.
Jones' response here is an interesting one, and while he stated he wasn't concerned, the fact that he didn't go into any detail after that shows that maybe, just maybe, Pickens' performance sticks in his craw a little. ... and maybe it'll still be in that craw when it's time to talk contract.