NFL games are jam-packed with excitement, but sometimes, things can get a bit too wild on the field. Players get caught up in the moment and do things they aren’t supposed to do. That was the case during the Dallas Cowboys‘ 33-16 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday, November 17, in Vegas. Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens did the same move that was made by Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams the day prior, and as with Williams, he got handed an in-game penalty. During the first half of the game, Pickens scored a touchdown, and to celebrate, he jumped up and hugged the base of the goalposts. That action, by the NFL rules, gets a player an unsportsmanlike penalty, which is what Pickens got. Pickens finished the showdown with nine receptions, 144 yards and one touchdown, so it was a great performance for the wide receiver. But, the story isn’t over. The NFL has made a decision on whether it’s going to punish Pickens more. George Pickens of the Dallas Cowboys Gets Punished The NFL hands down punishments to players every Saturday for actions taken during the previous week’s games. According to the league, that these actions are “to protect players from unnecessary risk and preserve competitive balance and game integrity.” As for the amount and kinds of punishments, the NFL and NFL Players Association agree on the set of game-related rules violations that may result in accountability measures. The NFL sends out fines and punishments for actions that are deemed unsportsmanlike conduct, such as what Pickens did. And, on Saturday, Nov. 22, they announced that Pickens has to pay up. In the league’s accountability report, they announced that Pickens will have to pay $26,085 for “use of prop” and “unsportsmanlike conduct.” In addition, DeMarvion Overshown was fined $8,166 for a “late hit” and “unnecessary roughness.” For what it’s worth, Williams was also fined. On Saturday, the NFL announced that they’re fining him $14,491 for “use of prop” and “unsportsmanlike conduct.” Dallas Cowboys Player’s Fine Will Go to a Good Cause The funds raised from the NFL fines, according to an official statement from the league, will go to the Professional Athletes Foundation to “support legends in need and the NFL Foundation to further support the health, safety and wellness of athletes across all levels, including youth football and the communities that support the game.” Looking ahead, the Cowboys are 4-5-1 heading into their game against the 8-2 Eagles on Sunday, Nov. 22, at home. In the NFL’s predictions going into the game, their experts state that they “need to see this new version of the Cowboys compete with the NFC’s elite” before they can “buy into their chances of a turnaround in 2025.” They add that “If Vic Fangio’s suffocating defense relents at all, Dak Prescott could find an opening and exploit it. I’m just skeptical that the Cowboys have been transformed on the fly.”.
https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/dallas-cowboys/nfl-announces-final-decision-player-fate/
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George Pickens Makes Strong Admission on Steelers’ Mike Tomlin
Wide receiver George Pickens is thriving with the Dallas Cowboys this season. Pickens has more receiving yards through 10 games this season than he had in 14 contests last year. He has also set a career high with seven touchdowns. That’s led some pundits to criticize the Pittsburgh Steelers for trading Pickens before the 2025 NFL season. The Steelers sent Pickens to the Cowboys for a 2026 third-round pick. In his most recent admission to the media, Pickens explained he understood the trade and explained he views the Steelers organization very positively. The receiver also suggested he is still on good terms with head coach Mike Tomlin. “I can call up Coach T [Mike Tomlin] right now, and we’d have a real conversation,” Pickens wrote in The Players’ Tribune on Friday. “What I respect about him most is he always told me, ‘Just keep being you, George.’ “It just wasn’t the long-term fit for where my journey was headed, and that’s ok.” George Pickens Speaks out on Steelers Departure Previously, Pickens has indirectly put the Steelers on notice about his exit from the team. In August, the receiver told NFL Network’s Jane Slater that the trade to Dallas “was good for” him. That comment angered Steelers Nation a bit. But Pickens may have not really meant that comment as a diss at the Steelers. The wideout appeared to put those comments in better context while addressing his Pittsburgh tenure in his article this week. “Everything started off so good, too. I had the one-handed catch in my third game, and y’all know the numbers,” Pickens wrote. “Second year, 1, 100 yards. I don’t gotta bore you. “But I was still a kid. I made some mistakes. I’ll own that. I let my emotions get the best of me a few times because I’m always riding that line. That’s just who I am. I’ve tried to learn from it and grow while still being ME.” The Steelers acquired DK Metcalf and signed him to a 4-year, $132 million extension. Pickens wrote that at that time, he knew his time in Pittsburgh was coming to an end. Even then, though, the receiver suggested the two sides remained respectful through the trade to Dallas. “They did right by me,” Pickens added. “They sent me to the perfect spot in Dallas. What more do you want me to say? “There’s no drama, bro. No headlines to write. THey’re doing their things way up there, and I’m down here in Dallas with CeeDee and Dak doing what I do best. Everybody wins.” Pundits stirring hot takes that the Steelers lost the Pickens trade will disagree. Yet, it’s still hard to argue with that sentiment. While the Steelers could use a better WR2 this season, Pickens wouldn’t have been the right fit. In 2025, he would have taken a back seat to Metcalf and the multi-tight end set offense, which likely would have frustrated him to no end. Instead of that potential drama, the Steelers traded Pickens for draft capital that could help the team land a future franchise quarterback. Will Pickens Stay in Dallas? The Steelers clearly didn’t have Pickens in their long-term plans. The question, though, is do the Cowboys plan to keep the receiver beyond 2025? Pickens’ rookie contract will expire at the end of the season. He will be an unrestricted free agent in March. The Cowboys already have about $65 million to the salary cap dedicated to quarterback Dak Prescott and fellow receiver CeeDee Lamb. Spotrac projected Pickens’s market value at $29. 4 million for his average annual salary. Dallas could place the franchise tag on Pickens. According to Over The Cap, though, that would only save the team about $1. 3 million. Pickens seems to have matured over the last year, but he hasn’t been completely drama free in Dallas. Cowboys insider Clarence Hill Jr. reported the receiver didn’t make the team bus last week in Las Vegas. Hill implied that could become a factor in his contract negotiations. Overall, though, there’s been a lot of positivity about Pickens staying in Dallas after this season.
https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers/george-pickens-nfl-news-mike-tomlin/