20 Questions: 3, The Biggest Thing Pickens Need to Prove

[acr731]

He needs to prove he can give a team friendly contract

Why should he be expected to do that when Dak wasn't held to that standard?

 

[Kwyn]

That's not what they're saying but in fact, they're talking about keeping him long term. Many here, in fact are in favor of trading him -- that's the devotion so many of his so-called fans are demonstrating. Let's see if his efforts in the upcoming season are deserving of consideration. I'm hoping they will be.

The post I responded to directly implied that Pickens needed to show devotion to the team, despite the complete lack of evidence that is, in fact, devoted.

To the contrary, the team has showed him absolutely no “devotion” since they brought him in, in fact, the opposite. They have explicitly stated that they haven’t engaged in any negotiations or discussions about giving him an actual contract.

 

[75boyz]

Pickens earned his one year big franchise check for this year. He outplayed Lamb last year.

However, even IF he does it again this year I still don't think Jerry chooses to pay him over Lamb.
Not sure why I say that, but it's my opinion.

 

[blueblood70]

I think he has anything to prove He just do whatever he did last year get through a season without any drama any craziness like And I know all players might go through this but when you're under a microscope you need to be on time for meetings not be late for check in when you're on the road or I don't know how they do it the night before the game you're supposed to be in bed and you're not and then you get sat down for the first quarter of a game maybe do less of that although again I get it lots of players go through it but when you're under a microscope looking to get paid just stay steady produce when you're on the field and ask to make some big plays here and there and he'll get his money..

Just want to see that he can do it back to back years and not have a Pittsburgh George Pickens pop up even if it was something that was created when he was a stealer it doesn't make it untrue they're just saying if he's grown up matured and ready to get that kind of guaranteed money long term and not morph back into that dude become Antonio Brown who is one of the best wide receivers to ever play the game but dude was a head case right before he got that first contract the big contract and then it was all downhill from there mentally..

 

[DallasInDC]

Why should he be expected to do that when Dak wasn't held to that standard?

Name the players across the nfl who ranked top 10 at their position who took a team friendly deal besides Tom Brady (who just so happened to be 1) married to a billionaire, 2) had the most marketable brand in the entire NFL including earning more money off the field than the top paid NFL players earned on it).

Obviously Dak has not been held to that standard, but who else has (and im not referring to players who are on the downside of their career or negatively affected by injuries).

 

[Coogiguy03]

That's an easy one. When adversity comes calling (and it will), be a leader and don't let it bring down his play

let's see this happen after he gets his money

 

[AmericanCowboy]

Pickens is quickly becoming my favorite cowboy. I expect this dude to continue to ball out all year

 

[Kwyn]

Pickens earned his one year big franchise check for this year. He outplayed Lamb last year.

However, even IF he does it again this year I still don't think Jerry chooses to pay him over Lamb.
Not sure why I say that, but it's my opinion.

Your right.

I believe it’s because Jerry chooses what he knows and is comfortable with.

Despite his “wildcatter” self image Jerry is very risk avoidant and timid when It comes to football.

 

[Bullflop]

The post I responded to directly implied that Pickens needed to show devotion to the team, despite the complete lack of evidence that is, in fact, devoted.

To the contrary, the team has showed him absolutely no “devotion” since they brought him in, in fact, the opposite. They have explicitly stated that they haven’t engaged in any negotiations or discussions about giving him an actual contract.

It shouldn't be surprising that the Dallas FO waits so long before committing to a contract, since that's been their normal routine in the past with other teams. Some things never change.

Jerry makes the excuse that he wants to be sure that he's doing the right thing. I'm not expecting that to change anytime soon. Let's see how things go in the season yet to come. Pickens past with his former Steelers team doesn't exactly inspire trust, to say the least. This year should reveal more.

Let's not be surprised if Pickens eventually decides to go with any team that eventually offers more. That's very likely the extent of his devotion. It's all about money these days. No surprise there.

 

[Bullflop]

Your right.

I believe it’s because Jerry chooses what he knows and is comfortable with.

Despite his “wildcatter” self image Jerry is very risk avoidant and timid when It comes to football.

True. I think the coming year will reveal more about what to expect in the future. It'll be interesting.

 

[conner01]

Not hard to figure out what he needs to prove at all. Just be what he was last year.

To me it’s all about attitude. He’s as talented as most of the leagues best. If he come in mentally thinking about this season as a job interview and stays mentally in the game, he’s gonna be a very rich man next year. Hopefully he approaches it that way. The talent is unquestionable

 

[Kwyn]

To me it’s all about attitude. He’s as talented as most of the leagues best. If he come in mentally thinking about this season as a job interview and stays mentally in the game, he’s gonna be a very rich man next year. Hopefully he approaches it that way. The talent is unquestionable

That’s what he did last year. He didn’t get a contract.

I wouldn’t expect Jerry to change course.

 

[shabazz]

He needs to prove he can give a team friendly contract

Doesn't he and Jones already have a verbal agreement?

No state tax, endorsement advantages, etc etc

 

[Flamma]

He's got nothing to prove. The Cowboys don't want to pay him. Like other teams, they have a limit to how many top paid players get a ton of guaranteed money. They don't want two at that position. I think it's a mistake, but it's not my money. He'll get paid by someone.

 

[AstroPilota]

Why does everyone want to trade him. This offense will be dominating (top 5), and as long as you have top 15 defense, this team will be competitive and in the hunt.

To be clear, I want him to succeed and stay long-term. That out of the way - I think many folks are waiting for the "perceived trouble" that surrounded him in Pittsburgh to surface here. Usually where there is smoke, there is fire. I truly hope that this narrative never comes to fruition here, but I believe that is the hesitation with giving him a big, long-term contract. It's easy for us arm-chair GM's to spend JJ's millions.

 

[DallasInDC]

To be clear, I want him to succeed and stay long-term. That out of the way - I think many folks are waiting for the "perceived trouble" that surrounded him in Pittsburgh to surface here. Usually where there is smoke, there is fire. I truly hope that this narrative never comes to fruition here, but I believe that is the hesitation with giving him a big, long-term contract. It's easy for us arm-chair GM's to spend JJ's millions.

I get it, but it's easy for JJ to spend his millions and in some cases his spending has been a complete waste .

I know everyone is waiting for that shoe to drop, but I could understand his situation with his talent being wasted with way below avg QBs right before his second contract. From a business point of view, that's just *** with your money. And as arm chair GMs your right, its easy to spend someone else's money so why are fans wanting to get rid of him vs spend JJs money.

He hasn't demonstrated that here, even when the media tried to make it up during that one little stretch last year (name one elite WR that doesn't have some sideline drama every now and then). The one time that would have appeared to be most obvious was with the tag, and he handled that with upmost of professionalism.

 

[conner01]

That’s what he did last year. He didn’t get a contract.

I wouldn’t expect Jerry to change course.

I don’t think he’s getting paid by Jerry but a good season and he’s getting paid. He’s a FA unless Jerry wants to tag him twice, which I doubt because it’s mighty expensive

 

[MapleLeaf]

The only thing you hope for is that George Pickens is mentally stable and engaged and physically available.

Let's all be honest and address the elephant in the room. The league, the fans and the owners are all reeling from multipe examples of WRs gone horribly wrong.

Call it the Antonio Brown effect. Add in that the "George Pickens Experience Tour" in Pittsburgh.

Sure many are going to jump in here and say, but he has been a model citizen here in Dallas so far.

For some that is good enough, and others are still skeptical.

George is living the consequences of his past decisions.

So what does he have to prove? What he has always had to prove since he left the Steelers in 2025. Is he a knucklehead or is he a mature football player?

We all know what he can do physically. What we can't trust is what his head will do mentally...especially when he is under stress.

 

[Kwyn]

The only thing you hope for is that George Pickens is mentally stable and engaged and physically available.

Let's all be honest and address the elephant in the room. The league, the fans and the owners are all reeling from multipe examples of WRs gone horribly wrong.

Call it the Antonio Brown effect. Add in that the "George Pickens Experience Tour" in Pittsburgh.

Sure many are going to jump in here and say, but he has been a model citizen here in Dallas so far.

For some that is good enough, and others are still skeptical.

George is living the consequences of his past decisions.

So what does he have to prove? What he has always had to prove since he left the Steelers in 2025. Is he a knucklehead or is he a mature football player?

We all know what he can do physically. What we can't trust is what his head will do mentally...especially when he is under stress.

Here’s an elephant (and this is not specific to you)

This is a Cowboys board and most get their NFL news from his site so we tend to overvalue our favorites and dogpile those who transgress against the vibe of the fandom without a great deal of critical thinking.

Here is a list of active wide receivers who *all* have documented issues with actual news stories, criminal charges, attributed quotes, domestic violence, substance abuse, etc.,

AJ Brown
Brendan Aiyuk
Puka Nacua
Tyreek Hill
Rashee Rice
Stephon Diggs
Jameson Williams
Jordan Williamson
Zay Flowers
Davante Adams


All of those guys are more concerning than Pickens, whose biggest sins are two low effort plays against Detroit, missing curfew one time and some non-attributed rumors of bad body language and tardiness in Pittsburgh.

You ask The Zone about that list and a large number would trade Pickens for pretty much any of them, even the ones they haven’t heard of.

 

[Kwyn]

Doesn't he and Jones already have a verbal agreement?

No state tax, endorsement advantages, etc etc

No.

Jerry said he’s never even discussed a long term contract with GP or his agent.

In his Combine Bus interviews he said that his only conversation with GP about his future was that he was glad he was on this season and that he was getting tagged this year.