FRISCO - Much has already been said, written and rumored about the emotional baggage that new Dallas Cowboys' receiver George Pickens will bring with him to The Star.
Pittsburgh Steelers' no-nonsense head coach Mike Tomlin essentially gave up on the talented 24-year-old. Former Steelers' star Ryan Clark says the Cowboys must be way of Pickens' persona. ESPN NFL analyst Peter Schrager says the reputation is overblown. And then there is the opinion of his one-time mentor ... would you believe, the character formerly known as Chad Ochocinco?
After numerous sideline outbursts, lethargic route-running and a slew of unsportsmanlike penalties during his time in Pittsburgh, Tomlin assessed Pickens' status last January.
"There's obviously more room for growth there," Tomlin said. "I think he covered some ground in 2024, but there's certainly a heck of a lot more ground to be covered, and we'll see where it leaves us."
Two months later, where it left Pickens was behind newly acquired receiver DK Metcalf on Pittsburgh's receiver depth chart.
Earlier this offseason, Pickens sought the counsel of another temperamental talent in Chad Johnson. Known as Chad Ochocinco from 2008-12, he led the NFL in receiving yards in 2006 and made six Pro Bowls and two All-Pro teams as one of the greatest players in Cincinnati Bengals' history.
He was also one of the game's most flamboyant characters. After a touchdown on Monday Night Football, he donned a replica gold jacket worn by inductees to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and one time raced a horse for charity - and won.
At last February's Super Bowl LIX, Johnson said he had spent time talking to Pickens about dealing with a common problem: an unfairly earned bad rap.
"I guarantee you won't have any problems out of him no more," Johnson said during an interview with Shannon Sharpe. "I done had that conversation with him. I guarantee you, and I don't want to sit here and talk about what we talked about, but I told him, 'Listen, that window of opportunity? That (expletive) shrink real fast now.' It don't matter how good you are, and I'll use your line, 'They'll tolerate you until they can replace you'."
Though Johnson isn't officially partnered with Pickens, he still believes in the newest Cowboy.
"Listen to me," Johnson said. "I've seen his skill set. I know what he can do. If he got the opportunities Ja'Marr Chase got, in the Steelers' offense, what do you think his numbers would be? If George Pickens got the opportunity Justin Jefferson got with Minnesota, what you think his numbers would be?"
