Could the Dallas Cowboys make it through a summer without any contract drama? That remains to be seen, but things are seemingly trending in that direction.
The Cowboys placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on George Pickens and confirmed shortly thereafter that they won't be negotiating an extension this offseason. That received some pushback -- partly because anything Dallas does is critiqued with a fine-tooth comb -- but also because Pickens arguably played his way into a lucrative extension this past season.
Well, Jerry Jones doesn't have any second thoughts, affirming in an interview with Jori Epstein of Yahoo Sports that he thinks tagging Pickens is a win-win.
“This is great from our view. For him as well, it lets him really extend what he's got going right now in light of the fact that … when we got him, we got him for no other reason than because there was a long-term question. Through next year and this year, he’ll answer all those questions.”
The Dallas Cowboys still have questions about George Pickens, and they should
It doesn't happen often, but Jones hit the nail on the head.
Pickens' reputation was the only reason a talent like him was available last offseason. His track record of erratic behavior dates back to his time at Georgia, and it culminated with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where his frustrations bled into his play.
Whether picking a scuffle with an opposing player or exploding on the sidelines, Pickens frequently made decisions that hurt his team. He really struggled keeping his emotions in check.
The Cowboys experienced that first-hand in 2024 after they clinched a Sunday night win in Pittsburgh. After chirping with former Dallas cornerback Jourdan Lewis, Pickens yanked Lewis to the turf by his facemask on the final play. It was a civil altercation until Pickens escalated it, and both players got fined as a result.
It's not like Mike Tomlin to give up on a talented player, but even he was pushed to trade Pickens for just a third-round pick. It looks brilliant for Dallas in hindsight, but it speaks volumes that Jones and Co. want to see more from Pickens before giving him a contract that reflects the WR market.
You’d be hard-pressed to name five receivers who were better than Pickens last season. His second-team All-Pro nod was fully deserved, and there’s a real argument he should have been first-team. In most cases, a front office doesn't think twice about paying that player.
And yet, the Cowboys aren't comfortable paying Pickens just yet. His time in Pittsburgh did real damage to his perception around the league. It wasn't irreparable, thankfully, but it was sound judgment by Dallas to tag him.
Paying him now could blow up in Jones’ face. It could also cost him more down the line, but that’s a worthwhile price to pay to see if Pickens answers the bell.
At $27.2 million, it’s an expensive prove-it deal, but it keeps Pickens in the building for another year and gives him a raise he’s earned. If he produces at a similar level in 2026 and shows more leadership behind the scenes, he’ll be in line for a deal north of $35 million per year.
That's a win-win if we've ever seen one.
Add us as a preferred source on Google