The Dallas Cowboys' 2026 NFL Draft class has received glowing reviews. Beyond picking exciting players, including Ohio State star Caleb Downs, Dallas' process was a chef's kiss. They showed patience, traded up when it was necessary, and even traded down to pick up two extra fourth-round picks.
Unfortunately, the front office might have to pause celebrations.
Appearing on the Pat McAfee Show on Monday, ESPN insider Adam Schefter reported that George Pickens would like to be traded if he doesn't receive a long-term contract.
"The Dallas Cowboys said last year that they weren't trading Micah Parsons, and they traded him ... Even though Dallas says they aren't trading him, I believe that a trade is alive. There had to be a reason why George Pickens signed that franchise tender."
This comes in light of Pickens not reporting for the start of voluntary workouts on Monday, as reported by Joseph Hoyt of the Dallas Morning News.
George Pickens has reportedly given the Dallas Cowboys an ultimatum
It must be noted that Pickens has not signed the franchise tag, as ESPN Cowboys insider Todd Archer reported. It was widely reported on Thursday night that Pickens would sign the tender. That remains the expectation within Dallas.
Of course, Pickens signing the tender would facilitate a trade. That's why the timing of Thursday's report led everyone to think that a trade was in the works.
However, that was followed by Ian Rapoport affirming that Dallas has no intention of moving Pickens, as the team wants a larger sample size before committing to a big deal. That’s hardly an unreasonable ask given the lingering questions about Pickens’ maturity.
It's hard to discern what's really going on. Is Pickens going to sign the tag? Why did Rapoport make it sound like that was imminent? Does he actually want out of Dallas?
What we do know is that Pickens' agent, David Mulugheta (that name should ring a bell), prefers his clients not to play on the franchise tag. A trade ultimatum would align with that approach as a leverage tactic.
Nobody should panic yet. But something feels way off.