Cee Dee on Pickens: We are both 1s

[SteveTheCowboy]

Of course. Some complain just to complain.

My biggest worry is how well Shottenheimer will do.

Who is complaining "just to complain". Is there some great accomplishment they missed? Is there some fantastic CLAIM someone made?

Shott is your "biggest" worry? Not injuries or Jerry...or not plugging DT or RB1?

 

[Spottswoode]

Better question yet….if he has a big year, and his addition clearly sends the offense to a higher level (which can I see happening), how exactly do you replace that for 2026? Or do we not care because its all about instant gratification and this team is already sufficiently built for a deep playoff run?

Is this our “all in” year? Is the rest of the roster ready for that? How many times can they get smacked vs the run in a playoff game before they realize that it might be important to fix that? Jerry knew a top fantasy player would excite the fan base and the marketing genius wasn’t wrong.

In a vacuum, Pickens is an upgrade beyond any debate, but for one year….which would be just fine if there weren’t questions abound with too many other parts of the roster….very much including the QBs health, both tackle positions and the middle of the defense.

Maybe I’m just scared to win. Can’t tell. In the end it’s simple…if you’re into winning as many games as possible in 2025, you love the deal….the one made by the same guy who uses the excuse of “more of a long term plan” for his annual pass on free agency.

All over the place with everything. Still wondering why it never adds up.

I have said before that if Jerry wasn’t going to make a good faith effort to sign Pickens, I would have looked elsewhere. And if this is our all in year, I think we are in trouble.

I am on the fence on what his market price will be. On the one hand, I expect him to ask for max dollars. On the other hand, if it’s true that there was no trade market this year and some scoffed at adding him at any price, will 1 year of good behavior be enough for these same teams to then pay top dollar?

This might sound tin foily but our best bet to resign may be for Pickens to act up just enough to discourage other teams from paying big but not so much that it is beyond the Cowboys tolerance levels. Historically we have shown a higher tolerance for his personality type.

But if he gets close to WR1 money, I think he is gone.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

Ian Rapoport reported it. Googled this.

The Cowboys do not receive a compensatory pick if they lose George Pickens in free agency. They traded for him, so they do not have the right to receive a compensatory pick for him. The compensation they paid for him was a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick, according to ESPN and the Dallas Cowboys website.

https://www.on3.com/pro/news/george...ick-if-wide-receiver-does-not-sign-extension/

https://www.on3.com/pro/news/george...ick-if-wide-receiver-does-not-sign-extension/

George Pickens trade: Dallas Cowboys could receive third round compensation pick if wide receiver does not sign extension​

There is a world where Pickens only spends one season with Dallas before leaving in free agency. Pickens would have presumably played well and been out of Jerry Jones’ price range. And the wide receiver signing a big deal elsewhere could actually help the Cowboys recoup the third-round pick.


“The centerpiece of the trade being a third-round pick does relate to that,” SI’s Albert Breer said. “For Dallas, if Pickens plays well, and the Cowboys decide they can’t afford to pay him with CeeDee Lamb already making $34 million per year, then there’s a good chance they’d land a 2027 third-round pick back for their ’26 third-rounder, having gotten the year of service out of Pickens.”

Only four teams are projected to receive third-round compensation picks during the 2026 NFL Draft, per Over The Cap. Pittsburgh is one of them, getting one due to Dan Moore Jr. leaving in favor of the Tennessee Titans

 

[jazzcat22]

Well considering they haven't made moves in years sure, I suppose any move in that regard can be considered "the best."

Regardless, it was still a great move. Be happy with it.

Really? We're going to rely on media credibility LOL

Yes, as many fans are quick to post negative media news, and rely upon it. It works both ways.

I don't think it has anything to do with like or dislike or fear. It has more to do with people having seen this particular movie before.

This movie is better and will have a better outcome and ending.
As I said, still, some will not like it.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

will 1 year of good behavior be enough for these same teams to then pay top dollar?

Probably not ......every team knows it's a contract year for him. I would guess if plays at a top level AND behaves, Stephen Jones will give him 2 options
*** long-term offer in franchise tag range ( $25-30M ) w/o a lot of guaranteed money
*** franchise tag and make him prove he has truly turned the corner, controlling his behavior.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

If the Cowboys can get WR1 production from both Lamb and Pickens in 2025, then their offense will get the boost that the front office was looking for when discussing who they wanted to line up on the opposite side of the field from Lamb.

100%.......you don't make trades hoping players can't reach max potential over contract concerns.
Shoot you want everyone of them to reach ALL-PROs and let the contract issues take care of itself. It is why we hear some say it's a good problem to have (lol).

 

[KJJ]

https://www.on3.com/pro/news/george...ick-if-wide-receiver-does-not-sign-extension/

George Pickens trade: Dallas Cowboys could receive third round compensation pick if wide receiver does not sign extension​

There is a world where Pickens only spends one season with Dallas before leaving in free agency. Pickens would have presumably played well and been out of Jerry Jones’ price range. And the wide receiver signing a big deal elsewhere could actually help the Cowboys recoup the third-round pick.


“The centerpiece of the trade being a third-round pick does relate to that,” SI’s Albert Breer said. “For Dallas, if Pickens plays well, and the Cowboys decide they can’t afford to pay him with CeeDee Lamb already making $34 million per year, then there’s a good chance they’d land a 2027 third-round pick back for their ’26 third-rounder, having gotten the year of service out of Pickens.”

Only four teams are projected to receive third-round compensation picks during the 2026 NFL Draft, per Over The Cap. Pittsburgh is one of them, getting one due to Dan Moore Jr. leaving in favor of the Tennessee Titans

I believe if he produces and doesn’t start problems and the team can’t come to an agreement with him they’ll tag him. If they let him walk they’ll be stuck looking to replace him.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

I believe if he produces and doesn’t start problems and the team can’t come to an agreement with him they’ll tag him. If they let him walk they’ll be stuck looking to replace him.

I agree 100%........in fact, I can see Stephen Jones making him prove it again. It's exactly what he did to Dez and DLaw before offering them long-term deals. Both were tagged and promised offers with 2 straight Pro Bowls, but in Pickens' case, it's showing has truly matured.

 

[KJJ]

I agree 100%........in fact, I can see Stephen Jones making him prove it again. It's exactly what he did to Dez and DLaw before offering them long-term deals. Both were tagged and promised offers with 2 straight Pro Bowls, but in Pickens' case, it's showing has truly matured.

The big problem with tagging Pickens is he would have to be paid in the 5 WRs for one season. Too lazy to look up what would come out to but it would be a lot, especially due to the $40M per contract Chase recently signed. WR money has skyrocketed the last frew years.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

The big problem with tagging Pickens is he would have to be paid in the 5 WRs for one season. Too lazy to look up what would come out to but it would be a lot, especially due to the $40M per contract Chase recently signed. WR money has skyrocketed the last frew years.

There's a nugget suggesting around $30M.........actually, that's not bad for 2 years of elite play. Average it out
2025 .......$4M
2026........$30M
$34.......$17M per year

Not to mention this would buy us 2 years to find his replacement ...........

 

[Hawkeye0202]

The big problem with tagging Pickens is he would have to be paid in the 5 WRs for one season. Too lazy to look up what would come out to but it would be a lot, especially due to the $40M per contract Chase recently signed. WR money has skyrocketed the last frew years.

I honestly believe they will seriously consider replacing Dak 2027 if he has not led this team to a deep postseason run.

 

[Johannes44]

This movie is better and will have a better outcome and ending.

Really? How exactly is this different than trading for Amari Cooper or getting Brandin Cooks? Does it have potential? Sure what doesn't, however history so far hasn't shown that this team is going anywhere.

 

[Bullflop]

It'd surely be nice to see both of them continue to enjoy the benefits of playing together for many years to come. With the excess number of expensive contracts that this team is likely to be forced to attend to, something will have to give to make all of that expense possible. Here's hoping it works out.