It wasn't exactly a surprise that the Dallas Cowboys held their ground before Tuesday's trade deadline. With limited draft resources and a team that has inspired the opposite of confidence over its first nine games of the season, it would have been difficult to justify further investment.
In many ways, the speculation surrounding George Pickens was the biggest storyline hanging over this team. Many fans had talked themselves into offloading Pickens for a second-round pick, and understandably so.
But was that even on the table? Apparently not, as ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that Dallas didn't receive "any trade calls" on Pickens.
It's well-documented that Pickens is content being a Cowboy, and the team had no real plans to deal him, but the fact that not a single team called is pretty surprising given the caliber of player we're talking about.
If the end goal is to keep Pickens in Dallas long-term, his nonexistent market is an exciting development for the front office.
Even if the Cowboys wanted to, trading George Pickens reportedly wasn't on the table
Only three wideouts were traded prior to the November 10 cutoff: Josh Downs, Keenan Allen and Marvin Harrison Jr. And their respective prices make it easier to understand why Pickens didn't generate much interest.
- Downs (Colts to Chiefs): 2027 fourth-round pick and a 2027 fifthÂ
- Allen (Colts to 49ers): 2027 sixth-round pickÂ
- Harrison Jr. (Cardinals to Texans): 2027 second-round pick and a 2027 sixth
The Texans' wild overpay for Marvin Harrison Jr., coupled with the Jaguars' blockbuster trade for Jordan Davis, likely inflated asking prices across the league. The Colts, for instance, reportedly raised their asking price for Jonathan Taylor to a first-round pick.
That should have worked in Dallas' favor. If the Cowboys were ever going to cash in on Pickens, this was shaping up to be the perfect market.
The Cowboys seldom get appropriate value in trades, but the inflated prices elsewhere around the league seemingly gave them an opportunity to buck that trend with Pickens. But there wasn't a single team willing to test their resolve.
If teams weren't willing to pay a premium to acquire Pickens now, how aggressive will they be in bidding against the Cowboys this offseason?
Given the inflated trade market, a potential Pickens suitor likely would have needed to surrender at least a second-round pick just to rent him for the remainder of the season, including the playoffs. His looming free agency only complicated matters.
A second-round pick plus an extension worth north of $30 million annually is a massive investment in a player whose reputation may still be polarizing around the league.
Are we sure George Pickens will have a big market if he reaches free agency?
There's a significant difference between surrendering premium draft capital and committing to a lucrative contract versus simply opening the checkbook in free agency. But the Cowboys may have learned something valuable about Pickens' market in the process.
For all the speculation surrounding his future, not a single team reportedly called Dallas about acquiring him. That doesn't mean Pickens won't attract significant interest in March, but it does raise questions about how many teams are prepared to make the kind of financial commitment he'll be seeking.
There will always be a team or two willing to go the extra mile in free agency, especially at a premium position like wide receiver.
This past March, the Colts gave Alec Pierce, who has never reached 50 receptions in a season, $28.5 million annually. Romeo Doubs landed $17 million per year from the Patriots despite never eclipsing 800 receiving yards in a season.
Those contracts are a reminder that it only takes one aggressive suitor to drive up a player's price. But the complete lack of interest in trading for Pickens suggests Dallas shouldn't automatically assume a bidding war is inevitable.
For a team hoping to retain one of its most talented offensive players, that's an encouraging development.
Remember: the Cowboys played the non-exclusive franchise tag on Pickens this offseason, meaning he was free to sign an offer sheet with another team. The kicker? If Dallas decided not to match the offer, they'd receive two first-round picks as compensation.
There wasn't a sniff of interest in Pickens before he signed the tender right before the 2026 NFL Draft.
There's no question that Pickens has WR1 talent, but he's far from a flawless player. He's not a crisp route-runner, his effort can wane when a play isn't drawn up for him and his willingness to contribute as a blocker is inconsistent.
Those concerns won't prevent Pickens from landing a lucrative contract, but they could give teams pause before committing top-of-the-market money to him. And if his trade market is any indication, the Cowboys may not face as much competition for his signature as initially feared.
That doesn't mean Jerry Jones will get Pickens at a discount. But Dallas may have more leverage in negotiations than anyone realized.
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