
Rival Coach Weighs In On Cowboys' Major Offseason Addition
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
As the teams in their division stacked up in the offseason, the Dallas Cowboys didn't sit on their hands. They got in the mix as well, pulling off a big trade to add to the cast of weapons around Dak Prescott. By far their biggest splash was trading for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens.
Though he's had his issues off the field, Pickens is still a high-level talent at wide receiver. Playing alongside a QB the caliber of Prescott, the former second-round pick could put together a career year in Dallas.
Given the baggage he's bringing with him, the Cowboys' acquisition of Pickens has been met with mixed feelings. That said, many still believe he could be an upgrade for the iconic franchise.
Utilize the bet365 bonus code WEEK365 to activate a welcome bonus for Cowboys-Steelers, where Pittsburgh WR George Pickens is one of the most popular picks to score a touchdown.
Utilize the bet365 bonus code WEEK365 to activate a welcome bonus for Cowboys-Steelers, where Pittsburgh WR George Pickens is one of the most popular picks to score a touchdown.Read more: George Pickens Gives First Impressions of Playing Alongside Cowboys Star
In a recent column for ESPN, Jeremy Fowler spoke with various people across the league for their opinions of the offseason's biggest moves. While speaking anonymously, one coach in the NFC East weighed in on the Cowboys' big trade. They feel having a pair of dynamic receivers should yield big dividends for Dallas' offense.
"Dealing with CeeDee [Lamb] and him opens things up for them," a coach in the division said.
One coach in the AFC is much higher on Pickens going to Dallas, stating that the new situation should be good for him.
Added an AFC personnel man: "He'll be a big piece there. When he's covered, he's really open. I know the concerns are there, but I think having an already established passing game with veterans to help him along, and the fact he's in a contract year, will help keep him in line. If you can tap into what he can do fully, his major ability will shine through."
Read more: Cowboys Star Dak Prescott has Clear Goal Heading Into 2025 NFL Season
As stated above, Pickens has a lot riding on playing well this year. Seeing that he's in the final year of his contract, he'll be auditioning for his next deal either in Dallas or elsewhere. That said, if Pickens can limit his off-field antics and be productive for the Cowboys, it should result in him being compensated handsomely.
Before his injury-ridden 2024 season, Prescott was playing at an MVP level. He'll be aiming to return to form this year, and Pickens can help him with that. Based on how his time with the Steelers ended, the Cowboys wideout is a player many will be watching closely to kick off the 2025 campaign.
For more Dallas Cowboys and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Top 10 injury news of the Lions 2024 season - #1: Aidan Hutchinson
The most critical injury to the Lions season - and the #1 injury story of 2024 - occurred on October 13, during the 47-9 blowout win over the Cowboys. During this otherwise festive game for Lions fans, disaster struck in the third quarter when Aidan Hutchinson fractured his tibia and fibula. Repercussions were felt the rest of the season culminating in the playoff loss. LEFT TIBIA/FIBULA FRACTURE VIDEO - October 13, 2024 IMPACT ON 2024 SEASON This was the top injury news of the season because of the devastating impact to the team. Behind Jared Goff, Hutchinson was likely the second-most critical player on the entire team due to his positional value, elite performance, and irreplaceability. Advertisement Pass rush was already a major concern entering the season even with Hutchinson healthy. It got worse in Week 3 when two front-seven starters - Marcus Davenport, EDGE and Derrick Barnes, LB - had season-ending injuries. When Hutchinson was hurt in Week 6, the situation looked dire. With the defensive line struggling to generate a pass rush, the Lions responded by trading for Za'Darius Smith in Week 10. No one was able to come close to replacing Hutchinson's production though. When you look at the final team stats, Hutchinson still finished with the team lead in sacks despite missing 13 games. Here are the season sack totals: Hutchinson 7.5 Smith 4.0 (in 8 games with Lions) Alim McNeill 3.5 DJ Reader 3.0 Al-Quadin Muhammad 3.0 Further season-ending injuries to key defenders McNeil and Carlton Davis (both in Week 15) compounded the loss of Hutchinson. Credit to the rest of the team for losing only one more regular season game following Hutchinson's injury - finishing with a 15-2 record and the #1 seed. Advertisement However, the lack of pass rush caught up to the team in the 45-31 playoff loss to the Commanders. The defense did not register a single sack and only forced one punt all game. SPECULATION ON SUPER BOWL RETURN The big, recurring question after the injury was whether Hutchinson might return for the Super Bowl. Typically, a tib/fib fracture carries a 6+ month timeline, so a Super Bowl return at the 4-month mark would have been aggressive. However, the Super Bowl is not a normal game, and there are many examples of players who have returned extremely early in recovery to play in that game - Terrell Owens (ankle fracture) 2005, Thomas Davis (forearm fracture) 2016, and Brandon Graham (triceps) 2025. Advertisement The Super Bowl speculation was started in the days after the injury by sources close to Hutchinson, who stated an early return was a possibility due to the uncomplicated nature of the injury. Dan Campbell, in the first week after the injury, also offered an anticipated 4-6 month timeline. In December, Hutchinson himself fueled the speculation by saying he was "on track" to play in the Super Bowl. While he would not have been close to full strength for the big game, a limited return would still have provided an emotional boost to the team and fanbase. Unfortunately, the Lions did not make it that far to see if the inspirational return might happen. INJURY OUTLOOK The outlook for Hutchinson's recovery is very good, as the injury spared his joints and there were no signs of any complications. But there are still some hurdles to overcome. Residual effects of the injury, or discomfort with the metal hardware are possible. The other hurdle is a mental one, which could include a tweak to his technique. Does Hutchinson need to adjust his technique to avoid a recurrence? Hutchinson's tib/fib fracture is at least the second time his leg has whipped around in a powerful fashion. The first time was in 2023, when the impact spared Hutchinson, but injured Alim McNeill's MCL. McNeill was placed on IR and missed four weeks. Advertisement Here are the still frames comparing the two incidents: Aidan Hutchinson leg whip 1 Aidan Hutchinson leg whip 2 Whether this leg action is a fluke or something more pervasive would require exhaustive film review - not just of Hutchinson but of other elite edge rushers. The results of this kind of review would help determine if a technique adjustment is warranted. Can he overcome the mental hurdles? If Hutchinson is worried about a recurrence, this could impact his aggressiveness and productivity. If he decides to adjust his technique, this will take time and reps before he's comfortable again. Either way, it may take some time to mentally get back to the level he was playing at prior to injury. EXPECTATIONS GOING FORWARD Hutchinson was deemed a "full" participant at June OTA which signals that he will be ready for the season. This recovery timeline is in-line with typical expectations for a tib/fib fracture. As far as a return to previous level of performance, that remains to be seen. I think the odds are good, and Vegas agrees, as he is currently one of the top 3 consensus betting favorites to win the 2025 NFL Defensive Player of the Year. The other favorites are Micah Parsons and Myles Garrett. CONTRACT IMPLICATIONS Hutchinson is entering the fourth year of his rookie contract and is eligible for an extension. His 5th-year option was picked up, but I don't expect the Lions to wait until then to extend him. He will start the 2025 season at a youthful 25 years old and should be in his prime for many more years. Advertisement Despite his injury, expect him to get the biggest, non-QB contract in the history of the NFL very soon, so he can continue to make these kinds of ridiculous plays in Honolulu Blue.... This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Top 10 injury news of the Lions 2024 season - #1: Aidan Hutchinson

Vogue
an hour ago
- Vogue
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Deserve It All—and More
Well before the second season of America's Sweethearts premiered on Netflix this week, I knew what I wanted to say about it. In November, I'd spent a game day embedded with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders as the Cowboys played the Texans—though 'day' isn't exactly right. The squad worked for more than 12 hours straight, pulling a shift that stretched from Monday morning to the early hours of Tuesday. Sure, some of that time was spent on buses to and from the Star, the Cowboys' headquarters in Frisco, Texas, and some was spent on hair and makeup. (The cheerleaders are responsible for their own professional-level glam, which demands a lot of powder and a lot of time wielding a Dyson.) But most of those hours were spent dancing: 'Thunderstuck,' their pre-kick-off routine, involves both a 50-yard sprint in under eight seconds (in cowboy boots!) and chorus line jump splits. By the end of the night, the whole team was dripping in sweat and covered in blisters, their pantyhose ripped from their high kicks. Many required trainers for various muscle ailments, or to help wrap their ankles. There were dozens of ice packs, foam rollers, and empty Gatorade bottles scattered across the locker-room floor. But there would be no rest for the pom-pom weary: They had practice the next day, and the day after that. They had all the football games, the corporate shows, the press junkets, and the Cowboys Christmas Spectacular. They had major appearances with Kacey Musgraves, at the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, and at Mike Tyson's fight with Jake Paul in Las Vegas. Netflix camera crews were everywhere, as was our team from Vogue. Everyone stood to profit from their glamorous image—everyone, that is, except for the cheerleaders themselves. Their pay was about $15 an hour and $500 for each appearance. Most had to support themselves with other jobs. They did not have health insurance. Once upon a time, that made a kind of sense. The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader squad as we now know it came about in the 1970s. It was advertised as a part-time gig: You had a few practices during the week and performed during the Sunday games. Half a century later, between Monday Night Football, Thursday Night Football, Pro Bowls, and countless more events, the DCCC are working 30 to 40 hours a week for much of the year, and the Cowboys franchise is worth $11 billion dollars—three billion more than any other team in the National Football League. Their branding as 'America's team,' complete with an unabashed commitment to a stars-and-stripes, yeehaw aesthetic, has made their image endlessly exportable and mineable. Go anywhere in the world, and people know about the Dallas Cowboys—whether they're winning or not. (In 2024, their record was 7-10.)


USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Top 10 injury news of the Lions 2024 season - #1: Aidan Hutchinson
The most critical injury to the Lions season - and the #1 injury story of 2024 - occurred on October 13, during the 47-9 blowout win over the Cowboys. During this otherwise festive game for Lions fans, disaster struck in the third quarter when Aidan Hutchinson fractured his tibia and fibula. Repercussions were felt the rest of the season culminating in the playoff loss. LEFT TIBIA/FIBULA FRACTURE VIDEO - October 13, 2024 IMPACT ON 2024 SEASON This was the top injury news of the season because of the devastating impact to the team. Behind Jared Goff, Hutchinson was likely the second-most critical player on the entire team due to his positional value, elite performance, and irreplaceability. Pass rush was already a major concern entering the season even with Hutchinson healthy. It got worse in Week 3 when two front-seven starters - Marcus Davenport, EDGE and Derrick Barnes, LB - had season-ending injuries. When Hutchinson was hurt in Week 6, the situation looked dire. With the defensive line struggling to generate a pass rush, the Lions responded by trading for Za'Darius Smith in Week 10. No one was able to come close to replacing Hutchinson's production though. When you look at the final team stats, Hutchinson still finished with the team lead in sacks despite missing 13 games. Here are the season sack totals: Further season-ending injuries to key defenders McNeil and Carlton Davis (both in Week 15) compounded the loss of Hutchinson. Credit to the rest of the team for losing only one more regular season game following Hutchinson's injury - finishing with a 15-2 record and the #1 seed. However, the lack of pass rush caught up to the team in the 45-31 playoff loss to the Commanders. The defense did not register a single sack and only forced one punt all game. SPECULATION ON SUPER BOWL RETURN The big, recurring question after the injury was whether Hutchinson might return for the Super Bowl. Typically, a tib/fib fracture carries a 6+ month timeline, so a Super Bowl return at the 4-month mark would have been aggressive. However, the Super Bowl is not a normal game, and there are many examples of players who have returned extremely early in recovery to play in that game - Terrell Owens (ankle fracture) 2005, Thomas Davis (forearm fracture) 2016, and Brandon Graham (triceps) 2025. The Super Bowl speculation was started in the days after the injury by sources close to Hutchinson, who stated an early return was a possibility due to the uncomplicated nature of the injury. Dan Campbell, in the first week after the injury, also offered an anticipated 4-6 month timeline. In December, Hutchinson himself fueled the speculation by saying he was "on track" to play in the Super Bowl. While he would not have been close to full strength for the big game, a limited return would still have provided an emotional boost to the team and fanbase. Unfortunately, the Lions did not make it that far to see if the inspirational return might happen. INJURY OUTLOOK The outlook for Hutchinson's recovery is very good, as the injury spared his joints and there were no signs of any complications. But there are still some hurdles to overcome. Residual effects of the injury, or discomfort with the metal hardware are possible. The other hurdle is a mental one, which could include a tweak to his technique. Does Hutchinson need to adjust his technique to avoid a recurrence? Hutchinson's tib/fib fracture is at least the second time his leg has whipped around in a powerful fashion. The first time was in 2023, when the impact spared Hutchinson, but injured Alim McNeill's MCL. McNeill was placed on IR and missed four weeks. Here are the still frames comparing the two incidents: Whether this leg action is a fluke or something more pervasive would require exhaustive film review - not just of Hutchinson but of other elite edge rushers. The results of this kind of review would help determine if a technique adjustment is warranted. Can he overcome the mental hurdles? If Hutchinson is worried about a recurrence, this could impact his aggressiveness and productivity. If he decides to adjust his technique, this will take time and reps before he's comfortable again. Either way, it may take some time to mentally get back to the level he was playing at prior to injury. EXPECTATIONS GOING FORWARD Hutchinson was deemed a "full" participant at June OTA which signals that he will be ready for the season. This recovery timeline is in-line with typical expectations for a tib/fib fracture. As far as a return to previous level of performance, that remains to be seen. I think the odds are good, and Vegas agrees, as he is currently one of the top 3 consensus betting favorites to win the 2025 NFL Defensive Player of the Year. The other favorites are Micah Parsons and Myles Garrett. CONTRACT IMPLICATIONS Hutchinson is entering the fourth year of his rookie contract and is eligible for an extension. His 5th-year option was picked up, but I don't expect the Lions to wait until then to extend him. He will start the 2025 season at a youthful 25 years old and should be in his prime for many more years. Despite his injury, expect him to get the biggest, non-QB contract in the history of the NFL very soon, so he can continue to make these kinds of ridiculous plays in Honolulu Blue....