George Pickens #3 of the Dallas Cowboys
Getty
George Pickens #3 of the Dallas Cowboys
If the NFL offseason comes in waves, then the Dallas Cowboys have gotten themselves through the second wave–free-agency week. The first wave is adjustments to the coaching staff, where the Cowboys made a major one by bringing in new defensive coordinator Christian Parker. The next one will be the NFL draft, at least once the team makes another transaction or two to add more to the defense. The last wave of all this could be re-signing George Pickens–but it doesn’t have to be.
The Cowboys could make Pickens a major contract offer at any time this offseason, a deal that would remove the franchise tag from his name and pay him the going rate for top receivers. As it stands, Pickens has been tabbed for a one-year, $28 million contract, though he should be getting something in the range of more than four years and $120 million.
Cowboys Inviting George Pickens Drama
If the Cowboys let Pickens stay on the tag, it has the potential for being a divisive issue for the team, yet another holdout by a star player–this would mark the third straight year of that in Dallas, after CeeDee Lamb held out in 2024 and Micah Parsons had a “hold-in” last year. It’s unnecessary drama, and an unforced error that the team’s front office keeps repeating.
It’s also the kind of approach that could force a trade later this offseason.
But, at least we can say Pickens is still very much happy in Dallas. He spoke often last season about how the Cowboys welcomed him in a way his previous team–the Steelers–never really did, and he thrived in the environment: 93 catches and a career-high 1,469 yards. And both Pickens and Lamb quickly defused any notion that there would be resentment over which of them was the true No. 1 receiver on the roster.
George Pickens, CeeDee Lamb Looking Happy
If there’s any hope that the Cowboys have of Pickens staying focused and wanting to stick in Dallas even if Jerry Jones and Stephen Jones play hardball with his contract, it may well be Pickens’ friendship with Lamb–it’s clear that Pickens and Lamb do not want what is the best 1-2 receiver punch in football to be broken up.
While there have been whispers and predictions about Pickens potentially being a tag-and-trade candidate–allowing him to get paid like a WR1 elsewhere–Lamb showed off a video on Instagram of him and Pickens riding together in a car listening to, “Uu Look Chinese” by Prada Archive as Lamb laughs.
CeeDee Lamb #88 of the Dallas Cowboys
GettyCeeDee Lamb #88 of the Dallas Cowboys
Cowboys Have ‘Willingness to Trade Star Players’
While most of the trade chatter around the Cowboys and Pickens could well be ignored, it is worth noting that it began with an assertion from NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport last month, who floated it as a possibility. It was not a direct report, but could be filed on educated speculation.
The Cowboys are reluctant to pay Pickens. They want to keep him under the tag. Pickens wants the WR1 contract he thinks he has earned, as does his agent, David Mulugheta–the same agent the Cowboys fell out with during the Parsons talks last year.
Said Rapoport last month: “The Cowboys have shown a willingness to trade their star players for significant draft pick compensation. Maybe those players have the same agent in David Mulugheta. I’m just saying, it’s an interesting situation to consider.”
It does not, though, sound like a situation Pickens or Lamb wants to consider.