Pickens' perplexing body language against the Lions raises concerns about his Cowboys future.
Dallas Cowboys receiver George Pickens was the main story to come out of Thursday's 44-30 loss to the Detroit Lions, and unlike previous weeks, it's not due to his top-notch performance.
Pickens wasn't his usual self in the loss, totaling just 37 yards on five catches, and it was his negative body language during the game that caught the eye - and the ire - of many.
George, according to some, like DB-turned-TV-analyst Richard Sherman, looked disinterested. Sherman told his national Prime audience stated that Pickens disappeared during the game when his team needed him the most.
Pickens' body language and fiery personality were reportedly the main reasons the Pittsburgh Steelers moved on from him in a contract year; they didn't want to pay a premium for him.
But since coming to Dallas via trade, George has been a model citizen ...
Until Thursday night.
Now, though, another thread has been pulled at by our friend at 105.3 The Fan, Shan Shariff, who says that when it comes to discussing George's potential contract in the offseason, the Cowboys will almost certainly reference Week 14.
"The problem here is that these weren't balls, these weren't routes where George wasn't involved, and it was going to the other side, these were plays being thrown to the man. That's what's extra alarming," Shariff said.
"I want to be clear with y'all, I'm just having the conversation that they have to have, I think they should have, before you give a guy $35 or $40 million. I'm not saying don't pay him, I'm just saying last night has to factor in now."
And Shan is right: It has to factor in now.
You know who else is right? Our own Mike Fisher. Weeks ago, amid Cowboys Nation demands that Pickens be signed immediately and at almost any cost, "Fish'' offered a cool response.
"George has three years of controversy in Pittsburgh,'' Fish said. "There no reason to be in a hurry here because of three months of non-controversy.
"Dallas can tag him for 2026. There's no need to overpay now. Let the cake bake.''
For a comparison: CeeDee Lamb has his drop issues every now and then, but you can't question No. 88's commitment to the cause week in week out.
And prior to Week 14, you couldn't with Pickens, either.
But now?
The biggest question is whether this was just an off day for Pickens, who has already hit career highs in receptions (78), yards (1,179), and touchdowns (8). ...
Or was this a sign that George is reverting back to his old ways?
For us, one bad game doesn't mean the old Pickens is back, but as Shariff stated, this will now be a big watch in the next month.
Why?
Because we know Jerry Jones and the Cowboys don't make contract extensions for top-of-the-market players easy, and Pickens might have just handed them the reason why he might not get offered top dollar. ... with Fish's idea of a $28 mil franchise tag being a safer idea.