Schottenheimer Wants George Pickens Blocking, Not Just Catching, Before Philly

Cowboys Nation, this is the kind of coaching we wanted to hear: no free passes, even for the Pro Bowl receiver.

**Our Take:** Schottenheimer is right. He wants George Pickens blocking, not just catching, and a 2-4 team needs every block it can get. Pickens setting the edge for Javonte Williams makes the whole offense easier before Philly comes to town.

"He needs to understand that he impacts us in the running game as well," Schottenheimer said Thursday, per ESPN's Ed Werder as reported by Cowboys On SI. "When he's going, they're going to play soft inside. When he's not going, the safety gets pretty good runs at our backs, and that's going to improve." He also credited Pickens for not getting emotional about targets, and Pickens has 52 targets to CeeDee Lamb's 69.

The production is still there, just not at last year's level. Per Mike Florio at PFT, Pickens is averaging 71.3 receiving yards a game through six games, down from 84.0 in 2025, with one 100-yard game and one touchdown. Florio also points out that calling a player out publicly is a calculated risk, and that messages like this often go through the media when private talks haven't worked.

We'll take it. Catching is his job. Blocking is part of it too.

**What to watch:** Whether Pickens answers the challenge on running downs Monday night against the Eagles, and whether the Cowboys stick with the run long enough for it to matter.

Sources: Cowboys On SI, Pro Football Talk