From Future $30M Star to NFL’s New Problem Child? George Pickens’ Fourth Disciplinary Hit Raises Serious Questions.QQ
George Pickens has accumulated four NFL disciplinary actions through just nine games with Dallas Cowboys. The franchise traded a third-round pick and a future fifth-round pick to Pittsburgh Steelers on May 7 for the talented but troubled receiver, knowing he came with baggage. Nobody expected this much trouble to arise so quickly.
Oct 12, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens (3) makes a catch while being pressured Carolina Panthers cornerback Mike Jackson (2) during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cory Knowlton-Imagn Images
The NFL announced Saturday that Pickens faces a $17,389 fine for pointing the ball at Cardinals defender Denzel Burke. That hefty sum represents the standard penalty for a second offense of taunting, rather than a first-time violation.
Pickens caught six of nine passes from Dak Prescott for 79 yards against Arizona, but his performance gets overshadowed by another unnecessary penalty. The Cowboys fell 27-17, dropping to 3-5-1 after a dismal Monday night showing.
Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News described the incident that triggered the fine. “With the Cowboys trailing by 10, wide receiver George Pickens made a first-down reception to the Cowboys’ 48-yard line,” Watkins wrote. “Instead of Pickens tossing the ball to one of the officials or laying the ball down, he pointed the ball into the face of defender Denzel Burke.”
The taunting penalty followed a $11,593 assessment against Pickens from two weeks earlier. During the Cowboys’ victory over Washington, Pickens was caught on video shouting directly in Marshon Lattimore’s face. He then made physical contact with Lattimore’s chest for good measure.Neither taunt drew flags from game officials in real time. League officials reviewed tape of both games and deemed Pickens’ actions worthy of fines. The NFL Operations Department says they review tape from every game for potential violations.
Pickens also collected two fines during Week 2 against the Giants. He was penalized once for removing his helmet while still on the field of play. Another fine was issued for a “finger gun” gesture, which the NFL prohibits.
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Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk believes the penalties could cost Pickens far more than the fines themselves. The 24-year-old receiver becomes a free agent after this season, but his behavior may scare away potential suitors.
“You can’t do that if you’re trying to get somebody to pay you 30 million a year. You can’t remind people that you may still be that same guy,” Florio said after the game. His analysis suggests teams will reconsider offering Pickens top dollar.
Florio painted a picture of how front offices might react to Pickens’ continued issues. “There may be a GM, an owner, a coach out there who’s thinking, maybe we can get George. And they see that and, no, forget it. Forget it. Take him off the list. Strike him off the list. We’re not going to give that guy 30 million a year ’cause that’s going to happen at a bad time.”
Dallas acquired the 2022 second-round pick hoping his talent would outweigh his baggage. Through nine games, the baggage keeps piling up faster than the production justifies the headaches.
