George Pickens Racks Up Fourth Discipline in Nine Games as Cowboys’ Gamble Backfires

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.

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.

George Pickens Just Torched His Big-Money Market With Latest Antics

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.

Browns Ready to Dump Dillon Gabriel- ‘Legit Star’ Crowned QB Savior Before He’s Drafted!

It’s not likely that a reminder on this is needed, but the Browns have scored a measly 126 points this season, which ranks No. 29 in the NFL. They’ve gained, too, just 2,108 yards this year, which ranks 31st, and with rookie running back Quinshon Judkins on board, the strength of the offense is the ground game. It averages 89.5 yards, which is 28th.

For this offense, 28th is a highlight.

It’s safe to say that, no matter what happens from here for the Browns, barring some massive improvement from quarterback Dillon Gabriel, the team’s offense will look significantly different in 2026 than it has in 2025. It certainly can’t get much worse.

But, the Browns will enter next year’s offseason with the benefit of two big pieces on their ledger: their own draft pick and that of the Jacksonville Jaguars. With the passing of the NFL trade deadline this week, several outlets delved into revamped mock drafts–which make for exciting times for Browns backers tired of watching the team’s flimsy current offense operate.

Browns Could Eye Ty Simpson

At The Athletic, the Browns are leaning in heavily on the need to rip up 2025 and start all over. Assuming we see nothing new from Gabriel, that backup fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders does not wow the team late in the season and that Deshaun Watson remains in exile, quarterback will be the No.1 priority, even if this is not a sure-thing quarterback draft.

One guy climbing the charts, though: Ty Simpson of Alabama, whose team has won eight straight and is No. 4 in the nation following a win over LSU. Simpson was 21-for-35 with a touchdown against a tough LSU defense, and has thrown 21 TDs against just one interception this year.

Ty Simpson Top QB in 2026?

For The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner, Simpson could be the top QB in the draft, and lands to Cleveland at No. 8 in this week’s mock. Much can change, of course, either with Simpson’s stock, with the Browns’ draft position and with the possibility of late-rising QBs in the first round.

But Simpson to the Browns makes some sense.

Baumgardner writes: “Of all the quarterbacks in the 2026 class, Simpson has been the most consistent processor, helping to pick Alabama up off the mat after a season-opening loss and climb into College Football Playoff position. I don’t believe this is too high for Simpson, either — he could easily finish the year as QB1.”

Browns Adding a Star WR, Too

But there’s more. With the Jaguars’ pick at No. 18, The Athletic sees the Browns seeking to spice up their playmaker haul by adding Chris Bell from Louisville. Bell has been one of the most consistent targets in college football this season, and logged six catches in the Cardinals‘ upset loss to Cal.

He is averaging 6.9 catches per game.

Writes The Athletic: “Bell has been a legit star this season for Jeff Brohm and Louisville. An explosive and powerful 6-2, 220-pounder with a unique build and enough speed to be a problem inside or out, Bell now has 30 contested catches for his college career.”

 

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