George Pickens is playing so well that the Cowboys are facing a HUGE problem: Can they afford to keep him? His performance is skyrocketing, but so is his potential price tag, creating a contract dilemma that could force Dallas to make some tough choices. Let's break down the situation.
Remember that trade? The Cowboys sent a 2006 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Steelers, receiving George Pickens and a 2027 sixth-round pick in return. At the time, Dallas inherited the final year of Pickens’s rookie contract, a relatively modest $3.656 million. And so far, it looks like a steal.
Pickens' recent play has been nothing short of spectacular. He's snagged six touchdowns in just the last five games! Then there's that standout performance against the Panthers: nine catches for 168 yards and a touchdown. To put things in perspective, he also delivered a pair of 100-yard games during the three contests that CeeDee Lamb was sidelined with a high ankle sprain. He's not just filling in; he's shining.
It's safe to say Pickens is making a strong case for a lucrative new contract. Cowboys owner and General Manager Jerry Jones was recently asked about the possibility of opening extension talks with Pickens. His response, appearing on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, was carefully worded, but revealing. "We are always looking at what we can do to basically financially improve where we are," Jones stated. "Now, you don’t financially improve without getting what you paid for... You have to have the talent, you have to have the players... we’ll look carefully at what we’re doing financially, look carefully at what we do there with George, and I can’t tell you how proud I am personally for George because he is absolutely as exciting as he’s been on the field for us. He’s been that kind of teammate, and he’s inspirational. Our coaches enjoy coaching him... he is a great teammate in my mind, and of course, when we got him, there was some issue with, ‘Well, it might be something with the way he — his personality.’ Well, I’ll tell you this, I’ll take that combination we’ve got with him any day.”
Jones' comments suggest that Pickens has not only impressed on the field, but also off the field, silencing any previous concerns about his personality. But here's where it gets controversial... Does Jones' praise translate into a willingness to break the bank to keep him?
The reality is, the Cowboys will soon face a crucial decision: Extend Pickens' contract, use the franchise tag, or let him walk away as a free agent. Each option carries significant financial implications.
Pickens' performance suggests he'll be seeking a contract worth $30 million or more per year. And he's consistently demonstrating that he's worth the investment. Even the franchise tag, a temporary solution, will be costly. The franchise tag for receivers in 2026 is projected to be well over $25 million (it was $23.958 million for 2025). And this is the part most people miss... the franchise tag is only a one-year band-aid, and doesn't solve the long-term problem.
But here's the rub: The Cowboys already have a substantial financial commitment to CeeDee Lamb, who commands $34 million per year. Can they realistically justify allocating another massive contract to the receiver position? It will be a tough sell to the fans, and even tougher on the salary cap. This is the core of the dilemma.
Given these constraints, some analysts have suggested a seemingly radical move: trading Pickens now, before the upcoming deadline. It's not as crazy as it sounds. If the Cowboys believe they can't afford to keep Pickens long-term, recouping valuable draft capital through a trade might be a prudent strategy. However, a potentially better approach could be to use the franchise tag in early 2026 and then explore a "tag and trade" scenario. This would allow the Cowboys to retain Pickens' services for the remainder of the season, and if he continues to excel, his trade value could actually increase before the trade deadline arrives.
Regardless of the approach, one thing is clear: the better Pickens plays, the more challenging it will be for the Cowboys to retain him. Adding another layer of complexity is the fact that all contract negotiations will be handled by David Mulugheta – the very same agent Jerry Jones previously attempted to bypass when negotiating directly with Micah Parsons. This could potentially lead to some tense and drawn-out negotiations.
So, what do you think the Cowboys should do? Should they pay Pickens whatever it takes to keep him? Should they trade him now to maximize their return? Or is the "tag and trade" strategy the best of both worlds? Let your voice be heard in the comments below!
