105.3 the fan: Do teams really want Pickens?

[atlantacowboy]

 

[Kwyn]

Yes. This is the right answer. The same way that the Cowboys are not stressing over linebackers.

The Cowboys will get what they need in the draft, add in roster cutdowns after the draft, or trade for one after the draft.

Linebackers who would not be traded by their team now will be available after the draft, due to roster additions. This seems to be a talented and deep linebacker class.

That’s the Cowboys all right.

Dumpster diving to find starters from castoffs

 

[gimmesix]

This^^^^^^ remember Stephen Jones' words the day they tagged him? "We can't take a chance on losing him". But applied the non-exclusive tag, instead of the more secure, iron-clad exclusive tag. This tells me he was 100% confident NO team would make a qualifying offer required for a trade.

Smart move by him ..........
*** Pickens and his agent get a chance to test his true current value, with the current word.
*** Pickens and his agent now have two options
* play on the tag and bet on yourself
* accept a long-term offer likely $28-32M range

But the chances of a 2026 trade are near zero

Good point on the market value. By applying the non-exclusive tag, which I'm sure the team did because it's cheaper, Pickens and his agent get a chance to let some other team set his value. It makes it less likely that he would balk at playing on the tag if no team does that. I don't think they'll accept a long-term offer under what they believe his value is, but they don't have anything without an offer to tell Dallas his absolute worth or to try to force a trade.

 

[jaythecowboy]

Doesn't matter. It is the smart math.

If they don't want to pay him, then they should have already traded him.

They can’t trade Pickens until he signs the tag. Pickens isn’t going to sign the tag until a team negotiates a contract with him and then after that the team has to negotiate a trade with the Cowboys.

 

[LouBrown]

They can’t trade Pickens until he signs the tag. Pickens isn’t going to sign the tag until a team negotiates a contract with him and then after that the team has to negotiate a trade with the Cowboys.

Yes I understand. The point is that they aren't actually trying to trade him.

 

[jaythecowboy]

Yes I understand. The point is that they aren't actually trying to trade him

We don’t really know that though. They may be trying to extract maximum value as opposed to looking like they are just gonna give him away. I think the Cowboys are willing to pay him depending on the number or willing to trade him if there is a compelling offer. At this point the only alternative would have been to let him walk for a comp pick which Pickens is worth more than that for sure.

 

[LouBrown]

We don’t really know that though. They may be trying to extract maximum value as opposed to looking like they are just gonna give him away. I think the Cowboys are willing to pay him depending on the number or willing to trade him if there is a compelling offer. At this point the only alternative would have been to let him walk for a comp pick which Pickens is worth more than that for sure.

I mean maybe at the draft they'd be willing to take a pick and move him or something, idk.

It is just really stupid to wait to do that sort of thing until after FA. There's really no point.

 

[charron]

This is what Stephen and Jerry think because they think in terms of cash.

In terms of the salary cap, it is the worst thing you can do. Chase has a cap hit of under $34m for the next two years.

But it's not the worst thing they can do. He's making less than the average rate if they extend him, only this year is guaranteed, and they don't need the money off this years books. Signing him at 30/year yes all day but not at 40. If his camp wants 40 then he can play on the tag for 2 years which also helps ensure he stays focused so he can get the big payday some where else.

 

[DarkVader33]

Two observations:
Why are we so invested in questioning/wanting to get rid of Pickens, perhaps our best WR?
Do some here not know the value of having TWO premier WR? The Lamb-Pickens tandem would drive opponents mad.

Ya sure, as long as we can score 40 per game, at least. And then sustain that in the playoffs with better defenses. It just might work.

 

[DarkVader33]

20% of $27.2 mil is not $37-$38 mil. It may get there but it’s Gina take a couple more $40 + mil signings.

 

[atlantacowboy]

They can’t trade Pickens until he signs the tag. Pickens isn’t going to sign the tag until a team negotiates a contract with him and then after that the team has to negotiate a trade with the Cowboys.

It's called a sign and trade. Apparently, according this radio station, Pickens agent was told to go out and solicit offers. There are apparently no takers as of right now. That could change during or after the draft.

 

[atlantacowboy]

I mean maybe at the draft they'd be willing to take a pick and move him or something, idk.

It is just really stupid to wait to do that sort of thing until after FA. There's really no point.

This how this team rolls. The deals come to them or not at all. There is apparently no interest in Pickens on the market at the numbers his agent wants. That can change depending on how the draft shakes out. NE for example has nothing at WR and a young QB on a rookie deal. Pickens is the kind of talent that could take them over the top. If they don't feel good about their WR room after the draft, maybe a 2027 pick comes rolling our way. But, whoever trades for him is going to want an extension agreed to and that's the snag right now.

 

[DarkVader33]

No, they pay max dollars for a WR (JSN) and then both trade for and pay additional WRs (Shaheed).

It does lol. You either draft high or pay big dollars to FAs. "Get lucky in the 4th round" is a stupid strategy.

Your plan is the worst version of cap management lol.

I can't debate with you, there's no logic other than "I don't want to pay WRs."

How much does Jerry pay you for your cap finance analysis?

 

[Reid1boys]

Promising to pay a guy $27.3 million for the season, all against the salary cap, and he can show up at his leisure and the team’s only recourse is to release him. Just quality GM work. “Absolutely perfect”.

yea... the teams only recourse is to release him.... what world are you in? The guy can stay away... and not get paid. He can wait till like week 10 to show up, missing out on millions. The team can tag him next year as well....... which isnt happening. So yea, great job because Pickens and his agent already said they werent doing a deal early. So I guess Jerry could do what our leader is doing and negotiate with himself?

 

[LouBrown]

But it's not the worst thing they can do. He's making less than the average rate if they extend him, only this year is guaranteed, and they don't need the money off this years books. Signing him at 30/year yes all day but not at 40. If his camp wants 40 then he can play on the tag for 2 years which also helps ensure he stays focused so he can get the big payday some where else.

Yes it is.

The cap hit is what matters, not the AAV. He has the 6th-highest cap hit at WR in the league, $8m more than CD. Signing him at $40m drops his cap hit considerably.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

Good point on the market value. By applying the non-exclusive tag, which I'm sure the team did because it's cheaper, Pickens and his agent get a chance to let some other team set his value. It makes it less likely that he would balk at playing on the tag if no team does that. I don't think they'll accept a long-term offer under what they believe his value is, but they don't have anything without an offer to tell Dallas his absolute worth or to try to force a trade.

Exactly......With the Seahawks' WR new deal, I don't see him signing long-term until 2027. My guess is he will sign the tag to try to prove that his value is top 5.

 

[DarkVader33]

Sure, but that's not the question. Do they want to pay a one year wonder huge money, that is the question. Will his production be sustained? Is he over the attitude issues? Too many questions for that price tag.

That is why you use the tag if you’re not sure. Keeps you from possibly making a long term mistake.

 

[DarkVader33]

Yes it is.

The cap hit is what matters, not the AAV. He has the 6th-highest cap hit at WR in the league, $8m more than CD. Signing him at $40m drops his cap hit considerably.

And delays future compensation into later years. And with him possibly not on the team with dead cap money. Your way is fine if you want to mortgage the future for the now. I’d be okay with your way if we were closer to a Super Bowl caliber team. But we aren’t close.

 

[LouBrown]

And delays future compensation into later years. And with him possibly not on the team with dead cap money. Your way is fine if you want to mortgage the future for the now. I’d be okay with your way if we were closer to a Super Bowl caliber team. But we aren’t close.

If they aren't close then why tag him? That makes even less sense.

 

[jaythecowboy]

It's called a sign and trade. Apparently, according this radio station, Pickens agent was told to go out and solicit offers. There are apparently no takers as of right now. That could change during or after the draft.

Yea that’s the point I was making. Until Pickens and another team get something figured out the Cowboys can’t do anything but people are acting like it’s the Cowboys’ fault a deal hasn’t happened yet.