People are getting the latest George Pickens report all wrong ahead of NFL trade deadline
What to make out of the latest intel on George Pickens and the Dallas Cowboys.
The Dallas Cowboys know they got a major steal when they traded a third round draft pick for WR George Pickens. Maybe they didn’t know to what extent in May when the move occurred, but they know now.
They likely know, however, how hard it will be to keep him around for the long run. That’s because Pickens’ play has fueled a skyrocketing price tag ahead of the 2026 offseason. And right now, the Cowboys and Pickens have yet to engage in contract negotiations.
According to WFAA’s Cowboys insider Ed Werder, “With a week remaining before the NFL trade deadline, the Cowboys have not engaged in contract extension talks with WR George Pickens or his representatives.”
Werder’s report on Pickens sends Cowboys fans into an irrational frenzy
The report has sparked all kinds of reactions from Cowboys fans and even media members across the league. Some are taking it as a bad sign for Pickens’ future in Dallas, especially after various analysts have broken down the scenario of what a hypothetical Pickens trade would look like, with the argument being if Dallas isn’t going to sign him to a long-term deal, it could be worth securing the picks while his price is at an all-time high.
One fan reacted with the following caption: “It was a pleasure watching you play football in a Cowboys uniform these past few weeks, George.”
Another wrote: “We about to (expletive) this up so bad.”
What many people are missing is this was the plan all along. Shortly after the trade, reports emerged on the Cowboys and Pickens’ camp agreeing to waiting things out until 2026. After all, it served both sides. Dallas would get a chance to find out who Pickens was as a player and person. It also served the wide receiver to improve his reputation and in turn, market value.
After three years in Pittsburgh, it looked like Pickens had upside but no NFL team would pay him near the top of the market until he proved himself as a legit WR1, and until he proved his behavior had improved.
Now, Pickens has done both. He stepped up with monster performances when the Cowboys lost CeeDee Lamb for a few games and he’s been dubbed one of the best teammates in the locker room by just about everyone in the organization.
Why would agent David Mulugheta—considered the most powerful agent in the NFL and Micah Parsons’ representative—talk about a contract extension now when everything is pointing up for Pickens? Time will only give leverage to the player as 2026 free agency approaches. And the Cowboys have leverage of their own, as they will have the option to place a franchise tag of around $28 million to secure him for one more year.
I fully understand the hype around Pickens and wanting to secure his future in Dallas. But this was always going to be the case. Contract talks will wait until 2026. I’m a big critic of the Cowboys front office. But this process makes sense. No panic here.
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