George Pickens forming close bond with CeeDee Lamb as Cowboys’ season approaches
When the Dallas Cowboys were in search of a secondary weapon to put next to CeeDee Lamb in the wide receiver room over the offseason, they wanted explosion.
They wanted reliability.
Simply put, they wanted a difference maker.
After a failed attempt to find one in the first round of the NFL Draft and a quick search through free agency, the team circled back on a conversation with the Pittsburgh Steelers that they originally had before the draft, and it ended with Dallas acquiring George Pickens.
Almost three months have passed since that move was made, and in that time, Pickens has not only gotten off on the right foot both on and off the field with the team, he’s formed a close friendship with the man looking for some help all along in Lamb.
During the second practice of training camp on Wednesday afternoon, Pickens and Lamb stuck by each other for most of the practice, participating in individual drills, team drills and sideline activities while being basically attached at the hip. It’s a friendship that has quickly blossomed, and one that could pay big dividends for the Cowboys’ offense.
“The camaraderie we have, there’s no choice but to be great,” Pickens said. “We’re different types of style of play. CeeDee’s a certain type of guy, I’m a certain type of guy, so when you mesh that together, it’s like Mario Bros. We definitely can do something special.”
It goes without being said that it’s important for Pickens and Lamb to have a working relationship. Even further, a close bond off the field could help them with challenges they may face on the gridiron. Early on in their tenure as teammates, there hasn’t been any adversity to face just yet, but the relationship is forming into something that will prepare them for when that time comes.
“It’s just the type of receiver we both are and what we see in each other,” Lamb said. “The expected greatness we see in each other. As for GP, I want him to get everything that he deserves in his career. As for me, I know it’s my job to make sure he’s treading that line of perfection that we need. He has all of the intangibles. He’s a great receiver, he’s a great person. He’s everything that the people say he isn’t. He doesn’t get enough credit for being who he is.”
Pickens arrived in Dallas with a storm of controversy that he left in Pittsburgh. As feelings between him and the front office grew more toxic in his three seasons with the Steelers, the organization made the decision to move him for draft compensation.
Lamb said he sees the type of person Pickens is and recognizes that he has an on and off switch that can be easily activated. But when evaluating the personality of his new teammate, he thinks the doubters in Pittsburgh got it all wrong.
“You never know the type of situation that people are going through,” he said. “To be so quick to put a narrative on something they don’t fully understand is jumping the gun. As for GP, he’s a hard worker. He wants to be great, he wants to learn. I love that about him, because I’m the same way.”
“Being able to relate to him is the best thing for me and the best thing for him. The energy is going to be the best for us as a team.”
Lamb backing his new teammate publicly and privately has obviously been well-received by Pickens. On a group trip that quarterback Dak Prescott organized for all of the pass-catchers in Georgia over the summer, Pickens said he felt like he really connected with his fellow teammates including Lamb, specifically on a boat outing they took during the trip.
“CeeDee has always been that type of guy,” Pickens said. “I wouldn’t say he’s going out of his way [to welcome him in]. When you know those guys personally, the connection changes.”
On Wednesday, Lamb took a tunnel screen untouched for approximately 70 yards for a touchdown. When he crossed into the end zone, Pickens was right behind him ready to celebrate. The two engaged in a handshake that Lamb said they’ve been trying to perfect for two days.
Even though it’s the first year of a new regime under head coach Brian Schottenheimer and a lot awaits the fate of certain expiring contracts, including that of Pickens’ deal that expires next offseason, Lamb made a bold prediction about his new comrade. Whatever happens, it won’t be just one ride.
“I hope we go together for X amount of years,” he said. “All I know is it’s not going to be only one.”
This story was originally published July 23, 2025 at 6:50 PM.
