It is still early, but the Dallas Cowboys won a lot of favor in the court of public opinion by hiring Christian Parker as their new defensive coordinator. While Brian Schottenheimer nailed that decision, it won't mean anything if Jerry Jones plays games on the personnel side of things.
Well, the calendar has only just turned to February and Jones is already giving off a familiar "unserious" vibe.
According to Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News, the Cowboys have yet to open contract talks with George Pickens and agent David Mulugheta.
The new league year is still over a month away, so this isn’t overly concerning. However, you'd think Dallas would show more urgency to sign Pickens after what unfolded with Micah Parsons last offseason.
Dallas Cowboys have not yet held contract talks with free agent George Pickens https://t.co/Ct6aGXK78f
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) February 2, 2026
Cowboys reportedly haven't talked to George Pickens about a new contract
A different year, but the same story.
Before it was Parsons, the team dragged out negotiations with Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb in 2024. Prescott didn't sign until the morning of the season opener, while Lamb's deal got done at the very end of training camp.
Just like Parsons, Prescott, and Lamb, the Cowboys’ powerbrokers have stated an interest in extending Pickens. However, getting the deal done early wouldn’t be good for business — at least, not Jerry’s version of it.
If Pickens’ contract were already signed, how would Jerry make headlines? He wouldn’t have another marquee deal to stir up drama, unless he thinks a Brandon Aubrey saga would move the needle for national talking heads. While Aubrey is one of Dallas' most important players, no one is tuning in for kicker contract theater. Everyone is watching Pickens.
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You better believe that Jerry knows that. Dragging out the Pickens negotiation, while harmful to the team's ultimate goal of winning a Super Bowl, is great for the bottom line.
The silver lining here is that it's still early. But the clock is ticking. You have to hold out hope that talks accelerate -- or at least commence -- during the NFL Combine later this month. With executives, coaches, and agents all gathered in Indianapolis, the Combine serves as an unofficial prelude to free agency.
Pickens is coming off a career year and a second-team All-Pro nod. It stands to reason that Pickens will want more than $30 million per year. With CeeDee Lamb already making $34 million, this won't be an easy negotiation.
The Cowboys have the option to franchise tag Pickens starting Feb. 17. The fact that talks haven’t even started yet makes that feel like an inevitability.