Cowboys WR George Pickens’ first four seasons in the NFL: Big plays, even bigger fines

George Pickens has played a prominent role in the NFL since the Pittsburgh Steelers selected him in the second round of the 2022 draft. While he has made a big impact with his standout plays, he has also struggled to stay out of trouble with the authorities.

Pickens’ strong start to NFL career

In his first three and a bit years in the league, Pickens has missed only three regular season games out of a possible 61. In 2024, his final season with the Steelers before being traded to the Dallas Cowboys, the 24-year-old suffered a hamstring injury that sidelined him for Weeks 14 through 16.

Other than that, the wide receiver, who has posted one season with more than 1,100 yards and two with more than 900 yards, has been reliable when it comes to availability. That made his benching for the opening drive against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 11 all the more puzzling.

Curfew break leads to benching in Vegas

It has since come to light that Pickens and fellow WR CeeDee Lamb, who also did not start, were benched as punishment for missing a 10 p.m. curfew. While the temptations of Las Vegas were clearly strong, Lamb had to deny rumors that he threw up in a casino and again on the morning of the game.

For Pickens, it was the latest incident in a long list of disciplinary issues that has trailed him through his NFL career. The former Steeler has put together quite the rap sheet, mostly made up of on-field offenses.

How much has Pickens paid in NFL fines?

Since his debut for Pittsburgh in September 2022, Pickens has been fined 13 times and has had $165,070 taken out of his pocket, according to Cowboys writer and podcaster Dan Rogers on X.

Pickens’ offenses have ranged from taunting, which he has been flagged for five times, to displaying a personal message, making obscene gestures, and removing his helmet.

His full rap sheet is:

• Oct 2023: Fined $8,525 for taunting
• Oct 2023: Fined $8,525 for blindside block
• Dec 2023: Fined $16,391 for taunting
• Oct 2024: Fined $10,230 for excessive facemask
• Oct 2024: Fined $10,231 for displaying a personal message
• Dec 2024: Fined $10,231 for taunting
• Dec 2024: Fined $10,231 for obscene gesture
• Jan 2025: Fined $10,231 for unsportsmanlike conduct
• Jan 2025: Fined $22,511 for excessive facemask
• Sep 2025: Fined $14,491 for removing helmet
• Sep 2025: Fined $14,491 for making a violent gesture
• Oct 2025: Fined $11,593 for taunting
• Nov 2025: Fined $17,389 for taunting

Interestingly, Pickens was not fined at all in his rookie season, but he clearly picked up a taste for it after his first taunting offense in October 2023.

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