Dallas Cowboys insider confirms suspicion about George Pickens trade that makes the deal even better ahead of 2025 season
An immediate concern for many Dallas Cowboys following the team's trade for George Pickens was all about contract status. The former Pittsburgh Steeler wideout is entering a contract year, which means the deal is a one-year rental unless the Cowboys extend him. However, that appeared unlikely right from the get go considering the front office's spending […]
An immediate concern for many Dallas Cowboys following the team's trade for George Pickens was all about contract status.
The former Pittsburgh Steeler wideout is entering a contract year, which means the deal is a one-year rental unless the Cowboys extend him. However, that appeared unlikely right from the get go considering the front office's spending habits. The latest report from team insider Clarence Hill Jr. from All City DLLS confirms such a suspicion.
"Per source on the need for a possible contract extension following the trade, new Cowboys WR George Pickens isn’t 'looking to do one. Wants to show he’s a top guy this year," Hill posted on X following the news.
The report is massive for the Cowboys as it confirms the coaching staff won't have to deal with any hold-outs from their newest player nor with a bad attitude.
In other words, the team's and player's interests are perfectly aligned. Pickens wants to put up numbers to treat this as a prove-it deal amid doubts that he can ever become a complete WR1—which could be keeping him from signing at the top of the market—and Dallas wants a playmaker to complement CeeDee Lamb on offense.
Will this turn out to be a one-year rental only for the Cowboys?
It's likely. Assuming they extend Micah Parsons later in the year, the roster will already have plenty of expensive contracts to deal with. That isn't to say the Cowboys couldn't make it work, they could. But the team's front office isn't the most aggressive one when it comes to spending on multiple big-time deals.
Additionally, the Cowboys could land a high compensatory pick by losing Pickens in free agency in 2026. If he goes off this season and signs at the top of the market, it could even be a third rounder they get in return. At worst, it's likely they will land a fourth. Knowing the front office, that's a deal they will take any day of the week.
Considering Pickens' personality question marks, a one-year rental isn't a bad thing for the team. A long-term commitment with a player who needs to mature on and off the field might not be what the Cowboys need in Brian Schottenheimer's early days as the team's head coach.
If he produces and shows he can improve his behavior, it will be worth it trying to secure him for the future. For now, the Cowboys get a high-end WR2 for the 2025 NFL season.