Stephen: Nobody has called interested in trading for Pickens

[SpaceCowboy99]

Pickens is a super bowl winning catch maker receiver. He has super upside potential but unfortunately is saddled with mental issues that he has not proven that he is rid of yet.

2 takeaways from him from a casual fan:

Issues with performance and team with Pittsburgh.

Can disappear for stretches especially when the DBS target him mentally and mess with his mental game.

With that being said he is still worth a #1 and if we traded him for a #2 we are idiots.

However, we cant afford to pay him as a #1 receiver with Lamb. Oh sure, we are doing it this year with the tag but I'm telling you, it's extremely rare for a team that wins the SB to have 2 receivers on the roster making top receiver pay for the league.

This is where the argument always goes back to on the Cowboys forums and it always breaks down to 1 side saying it can be done and here are some similar examples, and the realists (me) saying let's just wait and see for 2026, when they don't make the SB. Then in February next year, we have to say "told ya so".

If Pickens would take 20 a year for 5 years, sign him in a heartbeat. If he won't, trade him for a #1 and get a 2nd rate receiver that's good at route running and a great tight end. Then use extra money to bolster your line and have a good randem RB.

Balance is the key.
2 awesome 1A receievers is for the pro bowl. Not the Superbowl.

 

[Spottswoode]

Sure, but that's not close to how NFL agents think.

At the end of the day the agent works for the player. I wouldn’t give two S@*!s what the agent wants. If I felt there was a likelihood I may be forced to play the next 2 years on a franchise tag, I would definitely consider the safety of a contract even if it wasn’t top dollar.

I really doubt you know what an agent thinks or considers in negotiations. At the end of the day, the devil is in the details. Many on this site have a conniption fit when they see the initial numbers on a contract. In reality, they are often structured in a way that let’s the agent or player claim some type of victory but are actually are much less burdensome to a team or likely to pay out completely to the player.

 

[kskboys]

You did see how bad this defense was didnt you? Parsons doesn't single handedly change that.

They miss the playoffs with or without him, he wouldn't have changed that

We were 28th the previous year w/ Parsons/Jourdan Lewis/Golston/Kendricks/DLaw.

Parsons would not have changed a thing. That's why it's so sad when I see people blaming Eber. I mean, look at what we lost. And all that from a 28th ranked D.

 

[kskboys]

Pickens is a super bowl winning catch maker receiver. He has super upside potential but unfortunately is saddled with mental issues that he has not proven that he is rid of yet.

2 takeaways from him from a casual fan:

Issues with performance and team with Pittsburgh.

Can disappear for stretches especially when the DBS target him mentally and mess with his mental game.

With that being said he is still worth a #1 and if we traded him for a #2 we are idiots.

However, we cant afford to pay him as a #1 receiver with Lamb. Oh sure, we are doing it this year with the tag but I'm telling you, it's extremely rare for a team that wins the SB to have 2 receivers on the roster making top receiver pay for the league.

This is where the argument always goes back to on the Cowboys forums and it always breaks down to 1 side saying it can be done and here are some similar examples, and the realists (me) saying let's just wait and see for 2026, when they don't make the SB. Then in February next year, we have to say "told ya so".

If Pickens would take 20 a year for 5 years, sign him in a heartbeat. If he won't, trade him for a #1 and get a 2nd rate receiver that's good at route running and a great tight end. Then use extra money to bolster your line and have a good randem RB.

Balance is the key.
2 awesome 1A receievers is for the pro bowl. Not the Superbowl.

Agree w/ most.

I can't think of a single instance where a super bowl team has 2 top of the market paid WRs. Brown and Smith's cap hits were 8 and 11 mill when they won the super bowl. Cap hits go up, super bowl goes away. It's really that simple.

 

[kskboys]

At the end of the day the agent works for the player. I wouldn’t give two S@*!s what the agent wants. If I felt there was a likelihood I may be forced to play the next 2 years on a franchise tag, I would definitely consider the safety of a contract even if it wasn’t top dollar.

I really doubt you know what an agent thinks or considers in negotiations. At the end of the day, the devil is in the details. Many on this site have a conniption fit when they see the initial numbers on a contract. In reality, they are often structured in a way that let’s the agent or player claim some type of victory but are actually are much less burdensome to a team or likely to pay out completely to the player.

Well, you keep saying what you would do. Quite simply, that is not what NFL players and their agents do. Most players simply leave it up to the agent, and the agents always go for top dollar. So, YES, I absolutely know what an agent thinks in negotiations. We have a myriad of examples. The agent thinks that he is going to fight hard to get the best deal he can for his player. Monetarily. I also know that agents couldn't give two crapps about super bowl contention or that his maxed out deal takes away from what others can make. Once again, proven.

All you have to do is pay attention to example after example to know what an agent thinks. Easy Peasy.

 

[Jipper]

We were 28th the previous year w/ Parsons/Jourdan Lewis/Golston/Kendricks/DLaw.

Parsons would not have changed a thing. That's why it's so sad when I see people blaming Eber. I mean, look at what we lost. And all that from a 28th ranked D.

Agree, we needed a whole overhaul

 

[fivetwos]

I’m not going to deal with hypotheticals. We got him and we can at the very least recoup what we spent, even if it means getting a 2nd. I’m just wishing we sign him long term out trade him. I think we should be able to get one first but I’ll take a high 2nd. Unfortunately, at true moment, it seems that Jerry wants to keep Pickens on the tag but I hope not

Getting a second?? No one has even CALLED, according to the person who has a big reason to say otherwise.

Realistically, the Cowboys got third-round value by the numbers GP put up last year alone….for a contending team. Maybe that would have made the difference for them, but all it did for the 2025 Cowboys is take them from probably five wins to seven…and now are out of range to draft the impact players they now need in the draft….of course still coupled with the refusal to understand the escalating FA market…(no disrespect to our new shiny safety who is supposedly going to make all the difference).

I wish I was just a gullable homer…..it’d certainly make the Jones ego show more palatable.

 

[Spottswoode]

Well, you keep saying what you would do. Quite simply, that is not what NFL players and their agents do. Most players simply leave it up to the agent, and the agents always go for top dollar. So, YES, I absolutely know what an agent thinks in negotiations. We have a myriad of examples. The agent thinks that he is going to fight hard to get the best deal he can for his player. Monetarily. I also know that agents couldn't give two crapps about super bowl contention or that his maxed out deal takes away from what others can make. Once again, proven.

All you have to do is pay attention to example after example to know what an agent thinks. Easy Peasy.

I don’t agree. An agent is contractually obligated to represent the best interests of the player. It is never as simple as top dollar because there are many components of a contract that have a potential impact. If it was simply about top dollar, you could write a contract on the back of a napkin.

Most players don’t simply leave it up to agents. They may leave the actual negotiations up to the agents but there is clarity around the players desires. Some may forgo dollars for a higher guarantee. Some players forgo max dollars because of a preference to play (or not play) for a certain team…and on and on.

There are many other considerations that agents discuss with players. There is a time value of money and receiving big upfront dollars has a value. The speed with which the dollar is being devalued provides some incentive for current vs future monies.

I guarantee you that Pickens and his agent have discussed the possibility that he could be franchised for two years. To not do so would be negligent on the agents part. And for a guy like Pickens who has made something like $9M so far is his career, I guarantee he has also considered the possibility of being franchised vs the guarantee of a contract.

People seem to think it’s all about the highest dollars but it never is. The public sees an average number for a player like $50M for Anderson and think that’s what he will receive. But ultimately it’s about maximizing dollars within the boundaries of priorities for the player. And that doesn’t necessarily mean the max dollars possible without other considerations. From there,they have numerous ways to fluff a contract to outrage Zoners.

 

[DarkVader33]

Gullible? I’m not believing anything Jerry says just like you don’t. Or the media for that matter. What it seems like is that Jerry wants to keep Pickens on the tag for this year, which if true is the wrong move. You have no idea what Pickens can get us in terms of draft compensation, and neither do I for that matter. I just think if Jerry was seeking a 2nd round pick, he could be gone tomorrow. But dummy wants to either keep him on the tag or wants too much compensation, like two firsts. How does that make me gullible?

 

[jazzcat22]

He, and his agent, are not going to allow Jerry Jones to treat him as anything less than a premier NFL receiver. The Dallas Cowboys are the kind of franchise that has to prove themselves to premier players. Not the other way around.

Like it or not, George Pickens is a better wide receiver in the contemporary NFL than Jerry Jones is a General Manager in the contemporary NFL. Mulugheta has likely explained to his client the Cowboys may not be where you want to sign regardless of the money offered.

I doubt his agent told him not to sign with Dallas long term. When Pickens said he wants to stay in Dallas. So his agent should go with his wishes.

 

[jazzcat22]

Teams are leery of one pump chumps like GP, who only ball out when it's contract time

There's a reason there was no interestast year ...except from us

He has played well in his career. He just did not stand out as he had horrible QB”s in Pittsburgh.
The reason there is no interest, because a team does not want to give up 2 1st round draft picks.

 

[jazzcat22]

His cap hit was low.

But everyone was scared of him.

Pitt wanted him gone.

Off meds.

We gotta look at this in the Detroit game.

This is a load of crap. Prove he is on meds? One bad game and he sucks?
How many drops did CeeDee have in 2 games against the Eagles. And cost us the first game against them.

 

[jazzcat22]

Anyone that finds this surprising is baffling to me. No one wanted this guy for even a 3rd last year. He's not going anywhere

False.
They had other offers. One better than what they got from Dallas.
Pickens wanted out of Pittsburgh. And Dallas was where he wanted to go before other teams.

So out of respect, they took slightly less and traded him to Dallas.

 

[jazzcat22]

Like I said, I’d be happy with a 2nd. Good return on the investment. For a 2nd, a team may be willing to pay what he wants, and we don’t even know how much that is that he’s willing to settle for. The problem is, is Jerry willing to let him go for less than two firsts. He should if they can’t reach a reasonable long term deal.

Dallas is not giving away GP for a 2nd round pick.

 

[jazzcat22]

Im sorry which part don't I understand?

The part where the cowboys aren't going to trade him at a discount or the part where other teams aren't going to meet the asking price of two first rounders.

He is untradeable right now, as evidenced by the fact that he isn't traded and there are no offers lol

Not true.
That is because Dallas does not want to trade him.

 

[DarkVader33]

He has played well in his career. He just did not stand out as he had horrible QB”s in Pittsburgh.
The reason there is no interest, because a team does not want to give up 2 1st round draft picks.

And possibly need more proof that he’s not a head case.

 

[DarkVader33]

Dallas is not giving away GP for a 2nd round pick.

I know that isn’t likely. Just stating my wishes.

 

[jaythecowboy]

You did see how bad this defense was didnt you? Parsons doesn't single handedly change that.

They miss the playoffs with or without him, he wouldn't have changed that

The previous year on a per play basis the Cowboys were the best defense in the league when Parsons was on the field and the worst defense when he was off the field so Parsons literally could have single-handedly changed things.

 

[KingCorcoran]

I doubt his agent told him not to sign with Dallas long term. When Pickens said he wants to stay in Dallas. So his agent should go with his wishes.

My guess is Pickens and his agent wish he gets paid what they both think he’s worth. The Cowboys are not paying him that amount and likely don’t ever plan to. If he is more enamored with being a Dallas Cowboys player than what he’s being paid he can prove it by signing the franchise tag and participating in all organized team activities.

 

[Jipper]

The previous year on a per play basis the Cowboys were the best defense in the league when Parsons was on the field and the worst defense when he was off the field so Parsons literally could have single-handedly changed things.

Cool, the 2025 Dallas cowboys were the 4th worst DVOA since 1978 - Parsons ain't fixing that....