Dallas, TX – July 26, 2025
Training camp drama has hit the Dallas Cowboys just days into the preseason, and the spotlight is now squarely on one of the team’s newest arrivals. After back-to-back altercations involving George Pickens, head coach Brian Schottenheimer did not mince words about his latest wide receiver acquisition.
Tensions boiled over as Pickens, acquired this offseason in a high-profile trade from the Steelers, became the center of two heated fights in as many days. Eyewitnesses say the wideout exchanged blows with multiple teammates during 11-on-11 drills, eventually suffering a minor injury that required attention from the medical staff.
The repeated incidents have left the Cowboys coaching staff exasperated, prompting Schottenheimer to deliver a public rebuke. When asked about the disruption Pickens has brought to the locker room, the head coach was blunt: “He’s a locker room chaos starter.”
Another camp scuffle between Markquese Bell and someone on the Cowboys offense.
Brian Schottenheimer wasn’t happy. He pulled the whole team together in a huddle and told them, loudly, that the next guy that throws a punch will be kicked off the field. pic.twitter.com/bKqjlTkQ28— Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) July 23, 2025
Schottenheimer’s frustration didn’t stop there. According to sources close to the team, the head coach sent a terse, five-word message to Steelers general manager Omar Khan, reading simply: “Thanks for nothing — never again.”
The strong statement has ignited debate across NFL circles about Pickens’ temperament and the risks teams take on with volatile personalities. While Pickens was expected to add a dynamic edge to the Cowboys’ passing attack, questions now swirl about his fit with the team’s culture and long-term plans.
Fans in Dallas and Pittsburgh alike have taken to social media to weigh in, with some blaming the Steelers for offloading a player with known discipline issues, and others calling on the Cowboys to establish firmer boundaries in the locker room.
With the preseason just around the corner, all eyes are on how Schottenheimer and the Cowboys will move forward. Will Pickens find his footing in Dallas, or will his reputation as a chaos starter prove too difficult to overcome?
Stay tuned to ESPN!
