The Cowboys Next Move Feels Like a George Pickens Extension

[Spottswoode]

But there’s nothing that says it has to be (2) 1sts or nothing. The Cowboys can tell Pickens’ agent they’re open to all reasonable offers and let the agent plow the field. The Cowboys could even tell him their minimum accepted trade value.

If the Cowboys are saying the FT (2) 1sts is the minimum, they need to have their heads examined. That would be why Cap Boy isn’t getting any calls. A 2nd this year and a 1st next year would be coup if they could get that. Heck, a 2nd this year and next year wouldn’t be bad if they’re projected to be top 1/2 of the 2nd.

Cap Boy likely isn’t getting any calls because Pickens price is likely too high in April to interest another team considering compensation is also required. They are not going to negotiate compensation if the money doesn’t work first.

As far as telling his agent what they would take, IMO that’s highly unlikely. For one, it doesn’t have to just be for picks, it can include players as well. Secondly, Dallas is not going to let an agent tip their hand on what they might be willing to take.

A few posters keep saying Dallas is requiring 2 picks. I don’t know where that comes from…maybe true, maybe not. They could actually trade him for a combination of players and picks and potentially fill a position of need, similar to Parsons. The biggest challenge would be the acquiring team would need to have room to absorb the $27M tag amount. Even if they immediately sign a new contract with a lower cap hit, for the initial trade to go through, the tag would have to fit.

 

[speedkilz88]

They can tag Pickens next year too. No reason to trade him if the offers aren't there.

 

[KingCorcoran]

And how many teams will be rushing to sign a player that sat out that long? I think the Cowboys have all the leverage and perhaps Pickens best option is to play on the tag, be a good team player and have another monster season and then perhaps other teams will have interest and we can get back some valuable draft assets.

Depends on how much value he and his agent believe him being a free agent is. He’s 22 months away from being a free agent. Two franchise tags from Dallas pays him almost $50 million. That’s comparatively good for an NFL wide receiver. A third tag would be prohibitively expensive for the Cowboys. Particularly considering it all goes against the salary cap for the particular season.

What is his value to an NFL team at age 27 if the team acquiring him does not have to give up any assets in trade for him?

 

[exciter]

Really good article. Gets into the salary cap too.

The Cowboys Next Move Feels Like a George Pickens Extension
April 21, 2026,
by Cody Warren

George Pickens contract extension alt text: Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens celebrates with the football in his hand during a game, as questions grow about whether he will land a contract extension.

The Brandon Aubrey deal is finally finished, and that puts my focus exactly where it belongs now. George Pickens.

If the Cowboys want more breathing room before the draft class hits the books, this is the next logical move. I don’t think this should be too complicated because Dallas already made the decision to franchise tag him.

Now they need to finish the job. Aubrey is signed, and the draft class is coming. The cap space is needed to get all the rookies into camp.

This is simple; sign George Pickens long term or trade him. The balls in your court Cowboys front office.

Much more: https://insidethestar.com/the-cowboys-next-move-feels-like-a-george-pickens-extension

It doesn't look like Dallas has any interest other than letting him play out the tag and prove he can produce at a high level for consecutive seasons.
Same reason there hasn't been any interest in trading for him by orther teams!

 

[Spottswoode]

There is a reason these types of deals rarely happen. Not only does the acquiring team need to negotiate a new player contract and compensation to the trading team, they also need to have the room to absorb the $27M cap hit. Even if the player immediately signs a new contract, for the initial trade to go through, the cap hit must be absorbed. How many teams have that flexibility?

 

[Q_the_man]

100 million down the drain if injured or a sub par season

 

[Q_the_man]

There is a reason these types of deals rarely happen. Not only does the acquiring team need to negotiate a new player contract and compensation to the trading team, they also need to have the room to absorb the $27M cap hit. Even if the player immediately signs a new contract, for the initial trade to go through, the cap hit must be absorbed. How many teams have that flexibility?

Im pretty sure that's the easy part creating cap space

 

[Spottswoode]

Im pretty sure that's the easy part creating cap space

I didn’t suggest which was easier or harder, just that there are a lot of moving parts. And there will be a number that would likely have some difficulties, making the pool of potential trade teams smaller.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

Why don't we trade him to the Raiders? I have done numerous mock draft scenarios, and I've found that the Raiders might give up a first next year, a third this year, and several mid/late round picks. With the fact that they're taking Mendoza, they'll need WR help. Therefore, why not see if they'd take Pickens for multiple picks including a first in next year? Plus, the terms, as I understand it, for the Quinnen Williams trade only applies to the Packers 1st round pick or our first round pick next year. It doesn't say anything about if we get a first for Pickens. So, say we get the 15th next year for Pickens. That technically wouldn't qualify for the trade involving Quinnen Williams since technically that didn't exist in our arsenal at the time of the trade.

 

[charron]

Honestly there is no reason to extend him now. They do not need to lessen this years cap hit as they aren't signing any other big name players anyway. Pickens current guaranteed money is less than market value right now.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

Honestly there is no reason to extend him now. They do not need to lessen this years cap hit as they aren't signing any other big name players anyway. Pickens current guaranteed money is less than market value right now.

I agree that there's no rush to extending him now. But I do think this is the time to make a trade. We all know who the Raiders want with their first pick. I think the more prudent move would be to see how much the Raiders would give up for Pickens.

 

[Flamma]

They can tag Pickens next year too. No reason to trade him if the offers aren't there.

Tagging him is currently the problem. After Dallas signs the draft class, they'll have around 5M in cap space. You can't start a season like that. A team needs some flexibility. Signing him or trading him gives them the extra space.

There is another option that allows Pickens to play on the tag. Restructuring Q.Williams.

 

[Flamma]

I agree that there's no rush to extending him now. But I do think this is the time to make a trade. We all know who the Raiders want with their first pick. I think the more prudent move would be to see how much the Raiders would give up for Pickens.

Unfortunately we don't have the QB or great run game to be contenders if we trade Pickens. Hell, we might not be contenders with him due to our defense. But what are we doing here? What's the goal? To collect draft picks?

Pickens is going to want Lamb money at minimum. Jerry might do it, but I have to see it to believe it.

 

[KingCorcoran]

Why don't we trade him to the Raiders? I have done numerous mock draft scenarios, and I've found that the Raiders might give up a first next year, a third this year, and several mid/late round picks. With the fact that they're taking Mendoza, they'll need WR help. Therefore, why not see if they'd take Pickens for multiple picks including a first in next year? Plus, the terms, as I understand it, for the Quinnen Williams trade only applies to the Packers 1st round pick or our first round pick next year. It doesn't say anything about if we get a first for Pickens. So, say we get the 15th next year for Pickens. That technically wouldn't qualify for the trade involving Quinnen Williams since technically that didn't exist in our arsenal at the time of the trade.

Can you arrange to have the Raiders negotiate a deal with Pickens that he accepts, have the Raiders then agree to a trade with the Cowboys, have the NFL approve the contract and trade, and have Pickens sign the tag in the next 50 hours? Running out of time here if you want a third and some late round picks in this draft.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

Unfortunately we don't have the QB or great run game to be contenders if we trade Pickens. Hell, we might not be contenders with him due to our defense. But what are we doing here? What's the goal? To collect draft picks?

Pickens is going to want Lamb money at minimum. Jerry might do it, but I have to see it to believe it.

I think we do with Dak as far as the QB goes. And nothing says we can't draft a WR to replace Pickens. Plus, Flournoy is a solid WR too. So, I think we can generate decent enough weapons even with the trade. Plus, I like Williams. I do think we have a decent run game. I'm actually about to post a mock.draft I just ran involving a Pickens trade and trade down that I think covers most if not all of this. While we are not a championship contender in 2026, I actually think a Pickens trade gets us closer to being able to contend in 2027. I think, in fact, we could win our division and get at least to the division round IF we draft right, and that would likely require a Pickens trade.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

Can you arrange to have the Raiders negotiate a deal with Pickens that he accepts, have the Raiders then agree to a trade with the Cowboys, have the NFL approve the contract and trade, and have Pickens sign the tag in the next 50 hours? Running out of time here if you want a third and some late round picks in this draft.

I wish I had that kind of power. But perhaps Jerry could try to call the Raiders and work a deal.

 

[KingCorcoran]

I think we do with Dak as far as the QB goes. And nothing says we can't draft a WR to replace Pickens. Plus, Flournoy is a solid WR too. So, I think we can generate decent enough weapons even with the trade. Plus, I like Williams. I do think we have a decent run game. I'm actually about to post a mock.draft I just ran involving a Pickens trade and trade down that I think covers most if not all of this. While we are not a championship contender in 2026, I actually think a Pickens trade gets us closer to being able to contend in 2027. I think, in fact, we could win our division and get at least to the division round IF we draft right, and that would likely require a Pickens trade.

Have I missed the news Pickens signed the franchise tag? He can’t be traded if he hasn’t.

 

[phildadon86]

so when they sign him, and they will..... then it will make sense. It already makes sense to me. Its just that some of you in here have all sorts of crazy scenarios in your MIND.

Having two WRs taking up 30 percent of the cap doesn’t make sense to anyone but you.

It’s not a crazy scenario. It’s the reality of the cap and having two guys who have no idea what they are doing at the helm.

 

[phildadon86]

We are in win right now mode. Not next year, not the next. We have a few more solid years of dak... after that, who knows where we will be. You get pickens done now. You know what you have with him. Trade him and draft a WR, and you are HOPING it works out.

lol. Win right now mode eh?

Worst defense in franchise history. Let’s sign a WR to a massive contract.

We saw this last year lol. Are you ok?

 

[atlantacowboy]

The exclusive tag means no other team can negotiate with the tagged player. Pickens was given the non-exclusive tag.

The entire franchise tag system is set up to favor the owners. Yes players can make some big money in one year, but it offers no longer term financial security. It’s one reason players usually hate it. If the player gets hurt, they have lost their leverage.

What world do we live in where 28M does not offer long term financial security? lol

I think Dallas did the only thing they could have done in this circumstance. The move here was to sign Pickens when it became apparent he was having a great season.............. maybe sometime before the " I have never seen a performance like that" comment by Jerry after the Vegas game.

But, they botched that window and now we have a situation not unlike the Micah situation in terms of how contentious this could quickly become if the Jones boys don't figure this out by July 15th.