In an all-too-familiar turn of events, Dallas Cowboys fans have heard another update on wide receiver George Pickens and his contract situation.
Spoiler alert: It isn't good.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the Cowboys and Pickens are "nowhere close" on a multi-year deal.
Of course, Pickens was given the franchise tag for the 2026 season, and at this point, he's looking like he'll have to play it out on the tag. He and the Cowboys supposedly want to work out a long-term deal to keep him in Dallas for years to come, but we know how these things go by now.
Jerry Jones doesn't exactly have a stain-free history of contract negotiations with his top players. If you thought that this was going to be simpler than other recent situations, think again.
If Pickens and the Cowboys aren't even close to a deal, then what happens if it continues to progress in a manner that pushes both sides further apart?
Let me be clear: The chances of Pickens getting traded have to be less than one percent. But never rule anything out in the NFL, especially when we're talking about Jerry Jones and these Cowboys.
3 teams who would most likely be in on an alternate-universe George Pickens trade scenario
Los Angeles Rams
First-Round Pick Positioning: No. 13 overall
It's crazy to imagine a world where the Rams have both Puka Nacua and Pickens, but there is a reason why you have probably seen plenty of mock drafts with a wide receiver going to Los Angeles in the first round.
A popular mock pick has been USC's Makai Lemon, but you might have also seen Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson going to the Rams in a few as well.
In this case, the Rams don't have to bank on a rookie. Instead, in maybe the final year of Matthew Stafford's career, they get Pickens to pair up with Nacua and Davante Adams, who is also possibly nearing the end of his career.
New York Jets
First-Round Pick Positioning: Nos. 2 and 16 overall
There is no chance the Jets trade their second overall pick for anybody. But don't rule out the No. 16 selection if Pickens somehow became available.
Like the Rams, New York has been a popular spot to mock for Lemon. Or, they could put a trade package together to allow Pickens and Garrett Wilson to link up.
That is a terrifying duo of two players in the thick of their prime, and with plenty of football in their future, to give to whomever ends up being the Jets' franchise quarterback in the next 12 months.
San Francisco 49ers
First-Round Pick Positioning: No. 27 overall
This might be a little tougher to get done, with the San Francisco 49ers owning such a late first- rounder. But the Niners are also a team in need of a wide receiver, still.
Mike Evans won't play forever. Ricky Pearsall is still somewhat of an unknown. Christian Kirk was a fine addition, but he's not going to be a focal point.
If you toss Pickens into that team -- as disgusting a sight as that would be for Cowboys fans -- you have an offense that would finish no worse than in the top 5-7 overall. For a general manager like John Lynch, this is definitely the type of move he'd entertain.
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