There are a lot of people in Dallas Cowboys star wide receiver George Pickens' ear telling him what he should or shouldn't do. However, few have actually been in his shoes and had the franchise tag placed on them, namely the club's franchise quarterback, Dak Prescott.
As Cowboys fans are all too aware, Prescott is no stranger to uncomfortable contract negotiations. He got the one-year tender offer twice before becoming the NFL's highest-paid player, so his words hold weight. Dallas has overtly used him to set the standard for Pickens, hoping that their dazzling connection on the field translates to off the gridiron.
Well, being the beloved, respected leader that he is, Prescott recently took matters into his own hands. The 2022 Walter Payton Man of the Year basically left the ball in Pickens' court with some words of advice and encouragement.
"George [Pickens] loves football," Prescott said (h/t Jon Machota, of The Athletic). "That's the one thing about it. I just want him to know, don't change your love for football. Don't get in the business mind of this. You played last year on a one-year [contract] for not even that much, right? So, if you can go [get $30 million] or whatever it is now ... hey, go do it.
Dak Prescott delivers guidance to George Pickens amid contract talks with the Dallas Cowboys
It may sound risky, but Prescott also urged Pickens to "bet on [himself]." How the latter approaches this fork-in-the-road moment is ultimately his decision. Nevertheless, pressure makes diamonds, and rolling the dice certainly worked out for the former.
Prescott didn't beat around the bush. He spoke from personal experience to give Pickens and Dallas proof of concept that everything will eventually fall into place amid their well-chronicled discussions. It was a refreshing point of view, considering virtually everyone else would like to resolve this matter swiftly, one way or another.
Time will tell whether Pickens and the Cowboys can find common ground on an extension. Ideally, they settle on a deal that satisfies all parties and helps Dallas be competitive. Prescott is trying to do his part as a middleman, and it will be fascinating to see how/if this impacts the situation.
While Prescott, like the rest of Cowboys Nation, would like to see Pickens in Dallas for a long time, there doesn't seem to be much concern. Regardless, the team's leading receiver in 2025 conducts himself professionally and is in good shape as long as he continues to do so.
"Hopefully, we can get [Pickens] long-term and sign that, but if not, I think the way he plays the game, the person that he is, he'll be just fine," Prescott stated.