George Pickens finally showed up, and that alone changed the mood around the Dallas Cowboys this week. After skipping voluntary OTAs and fueling contract talk, Pickens reported for mandatory minicamp. That ended one problem for Dallas. But it quickly opened another bigger conversation.
Now that Pickens is back on the field, the Cowboys are not easing him in. Instead, they are preparing to expand his role in the offense, a move that could shape their entire 2026 season. That decision also caught the attention of Stephen A. Smith, who believes Pickens deserves his money but also sees danger in how this is playing out.
Stephen A. Smith Backs George Pickens but Questions the Risk Behind the Deal
When George Pickens spoke to reporters during minicamp, he made it clear where his head was. The contract can wait. Football comes first. “It’s just football first,” Pickens said in his media availability. “Kind of like I did last year, and then worry about that. Let my agent worry about it.”
That answer sounded simple, but it sent a loud message. Pickens is willing to play without locking in long-term security first, and not everyone thinks that is smart.
On ESPN’s First Take, Stephen A. Smith gave his honest take. He praised Pickens for showing up and said the wideout has earned his next contract. But at the same time, Smith questioned whether any player can truly ignore the risk that comes with every snap.
“I respect George Pickens. I want him to get his money, and he deserves it,” Smith said. “I find it very difficult, close to impossible, to believe that you're going to be out on that football field, and you're not going to be worried about getting hurt.” That is where Smith’s concern really starts. Pickens has the talent and the production to earn a major payday, but every snap now carries extra weight. A strong season could push his value even higher, but an injury could change everything in a hurry. That is the risk Smith was pointing at, and it is now one of the biggest storylines around the Dallas Cowboys heading into the 2026 season.
Dallas Cowboys Are Pushing George Pickens Into a Bigger Role
That gamble gets even heavier when you look at what the Dallas Cowboys have planned. Offensive coordinator Klayton Adams said that the Cowboys want to use George Pickens more in the slot this season, something they tested late in 2025 after injuries hit the receiving room. “I think year two is a good opportunity to force the issue on some of those things,” Adams said during minicamp.
That's crucial because the Dallas Cowboys badly need answers in key moments. Their red-zone struggles hurt them throughout 2025, and Adams admitted the offense committed too many mistakes on its own. With Pickens now expected to move all over the field, Dallas clearly sees him as a major fix.
That makes Smith’s warning hit even harder. Bigger role. Bigger hits. However, bigger money is still waiting. For George Pickens, all of it starts now.
