The Dallas Cowboys significantly bolstered their championship aspirations for the 2025 season by acquiring standout receiver George Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers. This move comes in response to concerns over the receiver position after the departure of Brandin Cooks and a lack of impactful additions via free agency or the draft. With CeeDee Lamb as the team's premier target, the Cowboys found themselves relying on less proven talents like Jalen Tolbert and Jonathan Mingo, which raised eyebrows among fans and analysts alike.

Moreover, the tight end position also posed issues, as Jake Ferguson's previous season was marked by historic underperformance. The expectation for Ferguson to emerge as a secondary pass-catching option seemed unrealistic given the challenges surrounding both him and the young wideouts. The front office, media, and fanbase alike recognized that without Pickens, the Cowboys' receiving corps would face significant hurdles in matching up against formidable defensive secondaries.