The Dallas Cowboys made a massive move last off-season to land star wide receiver George Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers. The trade paired Pickens will CeeDee Lamb, the undisputed WR1 in Dallas. While Lamb endured injury issues during the 2025-26 season, the two figure to be one of the best 1-2 punches at the position in the NFL.
However, it could be nearly impossible for Dallas to keep Pickens long-term after a recent contract update.
Dallas Cowboys, George Pickens, NFL
Oct 12, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens (3) celebrates with quarterback Dak Prescott (4) during the first half at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images
The Dallas Cowboys May Not Be Able To Pay George Pickens After Seattle Seahawks Deal
Jaxson Smith-Njigba of the Seattle Seahawks broke record Monday Morning when it was reported that he was signing a four year deal worth $168.6 million. The deal made Smith-Njigba the highest paid wide receiver in NFL history and sent shockwaves throughout the league.
One of the ripple effects could be Pickens’ future with Dallas:
According to Jesse Holley, former Cowboys receiver and now an analyst for DLLS Cowboys, Pickens and his agent, David Mulugheta, ought to take the JSN contract to Jerry Jones’ office and start their negotiations on a long-term Pickens deal sooner rather than later.
Said Holley, “Yesterday’s price is not today’s price.”
That’s been a lesson the Cowboys have yet to learn on star players–moving quickly to get deals locked up in the spring saves money after other players push markets up. Mulugheta should simply say that Pickens wants to start a deal at the Smith-Njigba numbers.
“If George Pickens’ agent doesn’t come in and try to get to that number, he’s doing his client a disservice,”Holley said. “His negotiation should start–whether I agree with it, you agree with it, you agree with it—his negotiation should start at $41.5 million. That’s where it should start. It should start there, right?”
George Pickens’ Career To Date
Pickens was drafted out of Georgia in the second round of the 2022 NFL draft. Pittsburgh took him with their 52nd pick and these are his numbers so far in the league:
267 Receptions
4,270 Receiving Yards
21 Touchdowns
16 yards per reception
8 Rushing Attempts
36 Yards
1 Rushing Touchdown
Pickens joined the NFL as a raw, but talented deep threat known for his physicality. His first few seasons in the league with Pittsburgh showcased that each and every week.
The trade to Dallas before the 2025 season allowed him to be apart of a high powered offense. In return he finished with career highs in targets, receptions, yards, and touchdowns in a single season.
It will be interesting to see how Dallas handles Pickens’ contract over the next few seasons.
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