George Pickens shines for Cowboys as contract discussions loom
George Pickens has truly surpassed all expectations since his arrival in Dallas, following a trade from the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason. As he heads into Week 13, he boasts impressive career highs with 67 receptions and 8 receiving touchdowns. With a total of 1,054 receiving yards so far, he is just 86 yards shy of his personal best. Most significantly, he has steered clear of the off-field issues that marked his tenure with the Steelers, establishing himself as a vital teammate and a cornerstone of the Cowboys’ passing game.
The contract conundrum
As Dallas contemplates the future with Pickens, the central question revolves around how to secure him for the long term. Recent discussions among analysts, including ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano, highlight the complexities surrounding a potential franchise tag. Fowler noted that while the tag could provide the Cowboys with strategic flexibility, it might not align with Pickens’ aspirations.
“A tag would be fascinating,” Fowler remarked. “While some players embrace it, my sense is Pickens’ camp would strongly prefer a long-term contract. But it would give Dallas the flexibility to negotiate with Pickens through the offseason or potentially execute a sign-and-trade.”
With Pickens’ agent, David Mulugheta, having previously navigated the unsuccessful negotiations with Micah Parsons, the dynamics could be tricky. Graziano expressed skepticism regarding the impact of Parsons’ situation on Pickens’ contract talks but raised an important consideration: the potential gap between Pickens’ expected value and what Jerry Jones might be willing to pay.
Evaluating the market value
“I don’t think the Parsons situation will have any effect on the Pickens negotiations,” Graziano stated. “But the Cowboys always cite long-term salary cap concerns when confronted with another big-money negotiation. With Lamb, Prescott, Odighizuwa, and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams all signed for big numbers, I’m sure you’re going to hear that stuff from Jerry Jones again.”
Graziano believes the Cowboys would be open to extending a long-term deal to Pickens, provided it aligns with their financial strategy. “I believe Dallas would do a long-term deal with Pickens if he would do it for a team-favorable number,” he added. “But to your point, Jeremy, I imagine Pickens has his sights set higher. The way he has played, he ought to.”
Indeed, Pickens has solidified his status as a legitimate WR1, even while sharing the field with CeeDee Lamb. His performance has attracted attention from around the league, with many teams likely poised to make him lucrative offers to enhance their own passing attacks. The pivotal question remains: will the Cowboys be willing to meet his demands, or has he priced himself out of their plans?
As the Cowboys navigate this critical juncture, the outcome of these discussions could significantly impact both Pickens’ future and the team’s offensive strategy moving forward.
