Imagine landing a star player for a fraction of their true value—a move that could redefine your team’s future. That’s exactly what the Dallas Cowboys pulled off when they traded for George Pickens this offseason. But here’s where it gets controversial: while Pickens is thriving in Dallas, his long-term future with the team is anything but certain. Let’s break it down.
The Cowboys essentially hit the jackpot with this trade. They sent a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Steelers in exchange for Pickens, a 2027 sixth-round pick, and a bargain salary of just $3.656 million for this season. Talk about a steal! Pickens has already proven his worth, racking up 32 receptions for 525 yards and six touchdowns. If he keeps this pace, he’s on track for career highs: 91 catches, 1,488 yards, and 17 touchdowns. Not bad for a player who’s still flying under the radar in terms of compensation.
And this is the part most people miss: Pickens is set to become an unrestricted free agent in March, and his next contract is expected to skyrocket. We’re talking over $30 million per season—a far cry from his current salary. The question now is: Can the Cowboys afford to keep him? The franchise tag for 2026 is projected at $23.958 million, but let’s be real—Pickens isn’t likely to settle for that. He’s a rising star, and he knows it.
Pickens himself has hinted at his openness to staying in Dallas. ‘I wouldn’t mind [staying],’ he said recently. ‘The guys in the locker room are super cool; the energy’s great. But like I said, I always want to showcase my talents.’ It’s a diplomatic answer, but it’s clear he values both the team culture and his own growth. For Pickens, it’s not just about the money—it’s about winning. ‘Definitely winning,’ he emphasized. ‘That’s been my resume the whole time. I won in high school, I won at Georgia, so that’s probably, definitely, winning. And I always think about winning.’
Here’s where it gets even more complicated: Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is known for his cautious approach to contracts, often preferring to delay discussions until after the season. When asked about extending Pickens, Jones admitted, ‘We’ll weigh that. We knew full well that if things really went like we want them to go, that certainly we need to think about having some room available if we’re going to pay a second receiver at that level.’ Translation? The Cowboys are aware of the financial challenge but haven’t committed to a solution yet.
Adding to the drama is Pickens’ agent, David Mulugheta, who also represents Micah Parsons. The Cowboys’ relationship with Mulugheta isn’t exactly warm—Jones even claimed this offseason that he didn’t know who Mulugheta was. Awkward? Absolutely. This dynamic could make contract negotiations even trickier.
For now, Pickens is focused on the present. ‘I’m definitely in the middle of the season, so I’m not fully, fully thinking about [the next contract],’ he said. ‘I just want to keep going and see how far we can get in the season as far as playoffs and stuff like that.’ But make no mistake—his future is the elephant in the room.
Here’s the burning question: Can the Cowboys retain Pickens without breaking the bank, or will they risk losing him to a team willing to pay top dollar? And if they do let him go, will it be a decision they regret? Let’s be honest—this situation is a powder keg of potential controversy. What do you think? Is Pickens worth the investment, or should the Cowboys let him walk? Sound off in the comments—this is one debate you won’t want to miss.
