George Pickens has been a key contributor for the Dallas Cowboys since arriving in a trade from the Pittsburgh Steelers in May. But he struggled to make an impact as Dallas fell 44-30 to the Detroit Lions on Thursday.Pickens recorded five receptions for 37 yards and a fumble, but the bigger issue was his lack of intensity. He seemed uninterested sometimes during the game, ran half-hearted routes, and drew a facemask penalty that wiped out a crucial catch. His underwhelming performance stung even more because he was expected to fill the void after CeeDee Lamb left early with a concussion.With a big contract reportedly on the horizon next offseason, senior NFL reporter Albert Breer questioned whether Dallas can rely on Pickens long term, pointing to both his performance and body language against Detroit."Also, it’s fair to ask the question the Steelers had on George Pickens again. No one’s ever denied the talent. Can you count on him after he gets paid?" Breer tweeted on Thursday.Fans have wondered all season why the Steelers traded George Pickens, their 2022 second-round pick, especially given his strong performance in Dallas and his spot among the league’s receiving leaders. According to Breer, his Week 14 outing against the Lions served as a clear reminder of why Pittsburgh made the move.Pickens’ occasional lack of focus was just one of several issues he had with the Steelers, as he often made poor decisions that led to penalties.While his talent is undeniable, it’s hard to predict which version of Pickens will show up each week. There are now concerns that his behavior could become more problematic once he secures the big long-term deal he is expected to get in the offseason.How much contract is George Pickens projected to sign in 2026?Through 13 games this season, George Pickens has racked up 78 catches for 1,179 yards and eight touchdowns with the Cowboys.Spotrac estimates that he could land a four-year, $125 million extension, averaging $31.2 million per season. The projection is modeled on comparable deals and his standout production this year.Should Pickens keep putting up big numbers, he could push for an even higher contract when negotiations begin in 2026, potentially exceeding the projected $125 million and moving into the top tier of the league’s highest-paid receivers.If he signs the $125 million, four-year deal, he would still earn just less than CeeDee Lamb’s contract. In 2024, Lamb agreed to a $136 million deal over four years.