George Pickens
Getty
The Cowboys appear set to find themselves in another contract standoff with George Pickens
The Dallas Cowboys know just how important this offseason is for them, and as a result, they have been acting with a sense of urgency. Perhaps the biggest move the front office has made to this point saw star wide receiver George Pickens get slapped with the franchise tag after he enjoyed a breakout year in his first season with the Cowboys.
There hasn’t been much movement when it comes to a contract extension for Pickens, though, and his price tag likely went up after the Seattle Seahawks signed Jaxon Smith-Njigba to a four-year, $168.6 million contract extension earlier this week. With that deal in the books, one NFL insider hit Dallas with a harsh truth when it comes to its quest to sign Pickens to a big-money contract.
Cowboys Could Be Set for Another Contract Standoff with George Pickens
Jordan Schultz
It feels like the George Pickens situation with the #Cowboys is poised to become the most interesting WR situation we have this offseason.
The Cowboys’ offseason last year was defined by a drama-filled contract standoff with superstar linebacker Micah Parsons. With the situation carrying over into training camp, Jerry Jones decided to send Parsons to the Green Bay Packers right before the start of the season. That move ended up dealing Dallas’ defense a blow that it never recovered from.
After Pickens explored for 93 receptions, 1,429 yards, and nine touchdowns in 2025 (all career-highs), he’s poised to earn himself a nice new deal this offseason. The Cowboys’ front office took the first step towards ensuring that will happen when they slapped the franchise tag on Pickens, but now, the most difficult part of the puzzle will come, as the two sides need to hammer out a long-term deal.
Smith-Njigba resetting the wide receiver market could have a big impact on Pickens’ discussions with the Cowboys. Add in the fact that Los Angeles Rams star wideout Puka Nacua is also due for an extension himself, and that puts Dallas in a tough spot with Pickens. If you ask NFL insider Jordan Schultz, he thinks that the activity across the league in the wide receiver market could have a big impact on Pickens.
“The more interesting name, however, is George Pickens in Dallas,” Schultz said on “The Schultz Report.” “Fresh off a dominant All-Pro year, he is surely watching all of this and believes he belongs in that same tier (as Smith-Njigba and Nacua) … This Pickens situation is only going to get more interesting as the offseason progresses.”
Cowboys Hoping to Agree to New Contract with George Pickens Soon
George Pickens #3 of the Dallas Cowboys
GettyGeorge Pickens #3 of the Dallas Cowboys
Considering how the Cowboys signed CeeDee Lamb to a four-year, $136 million contract extension back in August 2024, they have already committed quite a bit of money to the wide receiver position. Dallas doesn’t want to lose Pickens, though, and it could end up paying him a boatload of money to stay around for the foreseeable future.
Pickens won’t get more money than Smith-Njigba or Nacua, but it’s not unreasonable to suggest he could receive a four-year contract worth around $150 million. That’s a lot of money to pay for one standout season, but pairing him up with Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott gives Dallas a top-tier trio on offense. The Cowboys can’t afford to have another Parsons-esque situation on their hands, and they’d be wise to take care of this situation as soon as possible.