Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer has publicly called out wide receiver George Pickens, demanding significantly more effort as a blocker in the run game ahead of a crucial Monday Night Football matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. The critique arrives as the Cowboys labor through a difficult 2–4 start following a defeat to the Green Bay Packers, exposing deep offensive struggles that currently rank the franchise near the absolute bottom of the NFL in rushing productivity.
Brian Schottenheimer Demands More Blocking Effort from George Pickens
Speaking to reporters before the primetime clash with Philadelphia, Schottenheimer emphasized that Pickens must expand his responsibilities beyond catching passes. He has to understand that he also has an impact on us in the run game,
Schottenheimer stated. The 53-year-old coach explained that Pickens needs to execute the unglamorous physical assignments typically associated with running backs like Javonte Williams, who regularly picks up blitzes. He has to pick up safeties in the run game and block cornerbacks,
Schottenheimer said, adding that such accountability falls under a team-first mentality. According to the coaching staff, Pickens understands these expectations, even if putting them into consistent practice remains an ongoing challenge.
Historic Rushing Struggles Compound Offensive Pressure in Dallas
The public challenge from the sideline highlights an alarming statistical reality in Dallas. Through the first six games of the season, the Cowboys have generated just 456 rushing yards, averaging a meager 76 yards per contest. That output places Dallas 31st out of 32 teams across the NFL. According to data analyzed by ESPN, this marks the weakest offensive start on the ground for the franchise since 1989. Schottenheimer pointed out that these deficiencies ripple through the entire playbook. If George isn’t in the play, the safeties get pretty good angles and runs on our running backs,
the coach noted. That has to get better. I think we have to start with a commitment to running the ball.
Pickens Trails CeeDee Lamb in Total Season Targets
Despite the sharp tactical critique, Schottenheimer offered praise for Pickens’ emotional composure, noting that the receiver does not appear visibly swayed by whether or not he receives targets on a given series. The distribution of the football remains a talking point in Texas, however. Pickens has logged 52 targets so far this season, trailing teammate CeeDee Lamb, who leads the offense with 69 targets. The current discussion over downfield blocking is also not entirely new for Pickens. During his tenure with the Pittsburgh Steelers—the organization that traded him to the Cowboys in 2025—Pickens routinely faced questions regarding his engagement and effort during rushing plays.
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