After months of anticipation and anxiousness, the Dallas Cowboys swung for the fences to buoy their wide receiving corps, acquiring George Pickens in a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Pickens is one of the best deep-ball threats in football. His size and ability to stretch the field and come down with contested catches is the perfect complement to CeeDee Lamb and an ideal marriage with Dak Prescott, who loves throwing go-balls and hitch routes.
The biggest drawbacks about the trade, though, are Pickens' off-field presence that's been labeled a maturity issue and contract situation. The 24-year-old is in the final year of his rookie deal and has the talent and production to warrant an extension in the $20-25 million range.
Luckily for Dallas, though, Pickens is not looking for a new deal. According to Clarence Hill Jr. of All-City DLLS, Pickens wants to show he's a top receiver before cashing in next offseason.
George Pickens not wanting an extension is a win for the Cowboys
The feeling seems to be mutual. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that the Cowboys don't plan to extend Pickens before the 2025 season.
Pickens' contract was surely discussed before the trade went through, but it is a relief nonetheless that both sides are on the same page. Now, the front office can focus on an extension for Micah Parsons and potentially other homegrown stars like left guard Tyler Smith and cornerback DaRon Bland.
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There hasn't been any evidence that an agreement with Parsons is on the horizon, but Parsons and Pickens share the same agent, David Mulugheta.
Having to negotiate two separate extensions with the same agent is never an easy task, and Jerry Jones and Mulugheta might not be on great terms after Jones claimed to not know Mulugheta's name in light of discussing "key details" of the deal with Parsons himself. Up until that point, Mulugheta was not involved in the negotiation process.
Pickens not wanting an extension means he can focus on producing in a contract year and the Joneses can worry about getting Parsons signed before the 2025 season opener.
It's the best-case scenario. Either the trade ends in disaster, he walks and Dallas gets a compensatory pick, or he balls out, keeps his emotions in check and the Cowboys stumbled into their long-term WR2 to pair with CeeDee Lamb.
Ideally, Pickens is around for the long haul, but this can end in a victory for Dallas even if he ends up being a one-year rental.