The Dallas Cowboys opened their season with a thud, falling 28-20 to the New York Giants. While the defense had its moments, the offense sputtered, and wide receiver George Pickens found himself at the center of the criticism after dropping two catchable balls. But if you think the coaching staff is losing sleep over it, think again.
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer addressed the media on Wednesday and made it clear he has no plans to sit down with Pickens for a heart-to-heart about the miscues. Instead, he chalked it up to an off day for a player he believes is far better than what we saw in the opener.
"I don't say anything to George. George will be just fine," Schottenheimer said. "He's gonna usually catch that ball going down the sideline and probably pull through it, then jump over people and spin and then jump into the end zone. So, I don't worry about George."
That confidence is rooted in Pickens' track record as a playmaker who can turn a routine reception into a highlight-reel touchdown. But the 2024 season opener was anything but routine for the fourth-year pro. He finished with just three catches for 28 yards, with his longest gain covering only 11 yards. For a team that has struggled to make deep playoff runs, the Cowboys need more production from their top targets.
Pickens, for his part, isn't brushing off the performance. He told reporters that the urgency is real, especially with another divisional showdown looming against the Washington Commanders in Week 2.
"It's definitely urgent, because it's [another] division game, such as the Giants was," Pickens said, via DallasCowboys.com. "We definitely need to nail down our Ps and Qs. I think that's the mindset that people are honing in now."
The Cowboys' slow start has already sparked trade speculation and raised questions about the team's overall preparedness. Schottenheimer has taken responsibility for the flat performance, but he remains optimistic that corrections are within reach.
Dallas will need a sharper outing from Pickens and the entire offense if they hope to avoid an 0-2 hole. The Commanders, who also lost their opener, will be desperate for a win, making Sunday's matchup at AT&T Stadium a critical early-season test.
For now, the Cowboys are sticking to their mantra: trust the process, trust the players. And when it comes to George Pickens, the coaching staff is betting on a bounce-back performance that could silence the doubters.
