Dallas Cowboys stars Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb have strongly rejected trade rumors surrounding wide receiver George Pickens ahead of the upcoming NFL trade deadline on November 10. Pickens, 25, is playing out the 2026 season on the franchise tag, and both of his star teammates believe he should not only stay in Dallas but also receive a contract extension when eligible in the 2027 offseason.
Trade Rumors and Team Support
As reported by CBS Sports Headlines, Prescott dismissed the speculation when asked about the outside noise suggesting the team should move on from Pickens. Lamb also defended his teammate, crediting Pickens for helping fuel his own strong start to the 2026 season where he ranks high in catches, receiving yards, and touchdowns. Lamb pointed out that Pickens previously recorded 1,429 receiving yards the year prior, which helped open up opportunities for the entire offense.
Trade discussions began to swirl after Dallas coach Brian Schottenheimer publicly singled out Pickens’ run-blocking performance following a 23-13 road defeat against the Green Bay Packers, a game where the Cowboys managed a season-low 48 rushing yards. Speculation grew further due to how Schottenheimer deployed Pickens in subsequent games, with wide receiver Ryan Flournoy logging more offensive snaps than Pickens over a recent two-game stretch. The team has also noted that Pickens has been managing shoulder and hamstring injuries, though he was listed solely with a hamstring injury ahead of a matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.
Teammate Backing and Future Outlook
Despite the dip in targets and snaps, Prescott emphasized that Pickens has remained a dedicated teammate willing to execute any assignment called by the coaching staff. Lamb, who is close friends with Pickens, shared that he encourages him to stay focused and use the situation as fuel for upcoming practices and games. To help spark production for a 3-5 Cowboys offense experiencing inconsistency, Prescott noted that the team is focusing on sequencing starting plays to involve Pickens earlier in games.
