While the Dallas Cowboys and George Pickens are at a contractual impasse, the conversation won't be going away anytime soon. And with every wide receiver who gets their extension done in the interim, Jerry Jones and Co. have more parameters to work around -- or obstacles in their way.
Baltimore Ravens wideout Zay Flowers was the latest to get his long-term deal done, as he signed a four-year, $140 million deal with $108 million guaranteed on Tuesday. Pickens appeared on 105.3 The Fan, and while they had him, the hosts asked Pickens about the deal.
He made sure that his worth was known.
"I feel like that's nice. Honestly, I feel like that's nice," Pickens said. "Me, personally -- I kind of let the world speak for me -- but me, personally, I think I'm definitely in that range or above."
Zay Flowers-like contract won't be enough for Cowboys' George Pickens
At $35 million per year, Flowers is now tied for the fourth-highest-paid wideout in the NFL. And while that is tremendous for him, there aren't many, if any, who believe that he can hold a candle to Pickens as an NFL wide receiver. So, Pickens is right that he is "in that range" and probably "above."
Now, yes, Pickens has some non-football questions to answer before Dallas shows him the money, but Flowers' record isn't really squeaky-clean either. The Ravens have done some shady dealings this offseason, but clearly, they feel comfortable in giving their star wideout that much money.
And from an on-field perspective, Flowers is worth it. He's been a Pro Bowler in two straight seasons, as he tallied 86 catches for 1,211 yards and five scores last year. Baltimore has a run-heavy offense, but Flowers has been the undisputed No. 1 option in the passing game.
Pickens, as the No. 2 wideout in Dallas, totaled 93 catches for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns a year ago for America's Team. Yes, this was a bit of a coming-out party for him, but the counterargument is that it was the first time that Pickens had a competent QB and play-caller.
The problem with giving Pickens a contract of Flowers' level or better is that he would be making more than CeeDee Lamb at that point. And that may cause some tension on the field and in the Cowboys' front office, as Lamb's camp would surely be in Jerry Jones' ear about a correction.
Somewhat surprisingly, Pickens has handled this whole thing in a mature manner. He never planned on holding out, as he said again on 105.3 The Fan, and he has kept his head down and worked this preseason. He is doing his best to answer the off-the-field questions and calm any concerns.
But the rest of the NFL isn't making it any eaiser on Pickens or the Cowboys to keep this conversation on the back burner. Flowers' deal was a bit of a wakeup call, and Dallas' star pass-catcher is reminding folks that he knows his worth.
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