If Flournoy has a dynamic season, does it affect Pickens being here long term?

[shabazz]

I don't disagree with that logic.

But tagging Pickens twice is handcuffing the idea of being "all in." If you extend him and create cap space, you then just have to eat dead money in a rebuild year anyway.

Fair point

 

[DallasEast]

From now he seems fine, is it really him or him trying to be good to get the big big contract?

Only George Pickens and time can provide the answers.

What if defenses begin to attempt to limit the big play from him and double him? Yes Lamb can benefit from it and flo

You partially answered your own question. The running game will (or should) also benefit as a consequence.

 

[Stash]

Great post sir!

I just don't want the Cowboys to settle for a 3rd rounder for him.

I think it’s going to be a 3rd round comp pick (at best).

I don’t envision the Cowboys tagging him twice.

In fact, in my opinion, they already agreed not to with Pickens and his agent, and that was the impetus for him signing the tag and showing up for work.

 

[Coogiguy03]

I think it’s going to be a 3rd round comp pick (at best).

I don’t envision the Cowboys tagging him twice.

In fact, in my opinion, they already agreed not to with Pickens and his agent, and that was the impetus for him signing the tag and showing up for work.

Do you think we will ever know WHY we went to him and said we're not doing a long term deal, like what's the real reason

 

[Stash]

Do you think we will ever know WHY we went to him and said we're not doing a long term deal, like what's the real reason

I think there are several reasons.

1. Although they like him, I don’t think they fully trust him enough to lock in long term.
2. I think they realize that they simply can’t budget to pay top quarterback money AND two top wide receiver salaries long term.

They have decisions to make long term on Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams. Kenny Clark has a $22 million cap hit next year. What do you do?

And Williams in particular has them over a barrel based on what they have up to trade for him.

He’s up for free agency in two years and he’s undoubtedly going to be looking to reset the top of the market. Can you see the Cowboys giving up a 1st and a 2nd round pick and watching the guy leave two years later?

 

[Kwyn]

Fluornoy likely has nothing to do with Pickens.

Pickens could improve on last season and won’t get a deal from Jerry.

 

[Reid1boys]

I think it’s going to be a 3rd round comp pick (at best).

I don’t envision the Cowboys tagging him twice.

In fact, in my opinion, they already agreed not to with Pickens and his agent, and that was the impetus for him signing the tag and showing up for work.

Did they put it into the contract? If not, why not? If the Cowboys tagged him after another big year, that would be 60 million over 2 season.... a BARGAIN. So why wouldnt they do it? But, who cares. We all know Pickens is trouble, and now that he has 27 million in th ebank, he will blow up and return to his trouble making ways.

He may even get arrested for domestic abuse. He clearly seems like that type. Then he will be in a cell net to Ruggs and the Cowboys decision have been made for them.

 

[Reid1boys]

Fluornoy likely has nothing to do with Pickens.

Pickens could improve on last season and won’t get a deal from Jerry.

bahahhahahahahahahaha........ so lets use some improved numbers. Pickens has 107 catches for 1,560 yards and 13 Tds.

and you think Dallas trades him? bahahahhahahahaha, or better yet, lets him walk.

 

[Ring6]

yes!

I expect Flournoy to flourish

 

[Kwyn]

If Flournoy is good enough to justify walking away from Pickens, Flournoy isn't going to be cheap. He's also a lot older than Pickens.

Giving Pickens a 4-year deal that now takes him to age 29 is a lot better than giving Flournoy a 4-year deal starting in 2028 that takes him to 32

Not extending Pickens now remains the absolute worst strategy.

People seem to view Fluornoy like he was a rookie and has an unlimited ceiling and can be coached up to at least WR2 level.

Reality is that due to his age, he gets one shot at a big contract and it will likely be his only chance to cash in because he’ll be clearly on the wrong side of 30 when it’s done.

Age for first NFL game
Fluornoy: 24 years, 345 days!
Pickens: 21 years, 167 days!

 

[SoupcanSam]

Something to think about if Flo has an amazing year, building off some of the good he did this previous season. Does this affect Pickens long term, and Flo can end up being our #2? I know it's early and I'm not trying to crown Flo or down Pickens, it's just a thought! Please give your input

The issue with flo is that I dont know if he can be consistent in a full time roll if pickens is gone.

People forget, Flo will have a good season for a reason.

 

[LouBrown]

People seem to view Fluornoy like he was a rookie and has an unlimited ceiling and can be coached up to at least WR2 level.

Reality is that due to his age, he gets one shot at a big contract and it will likely be his only chance to cash in because he’ll be clearly on the wrong side of 30 when it’s done.

Age for first NFL game
Fluornoy: 24 years, 345 days!
Pickens: 21 years, 167 days!

It's not even that I don't think Flournoy can be a #2 or wouldn't be worth a big contract - I wouldn't be shocked if he had 1,000 yards this year.

The problem is that moving from Pickens to Flournoy doesn't accomplish anything.

 

[Kwyn]

bahahhahahahahahahaha........ so lets use some improved numbers. Pickens has 107 catches for 1,560 yards and 13 Tds.

and you think Dallas trades him? bahahahhahahahaha, or better yet, lets him walk.

They’ll tag him again.

Jerry loves CeeDee too much to even give the appearance that he’s not WR1 even though he’s had continued decreased production each of the last two years.

Never forget that Jerry has only two considerations when he makes any player decision

Money
His feelings

 

[Kwyn]

The only way I see Pickens playing for the Cowboys in 2027 is if for some reason he accepts a team-friendly contract (and why would he?) or something serious happens to Lamb near the end of the 2026 season.

Or they tag him again

His 2027 second tag projection will only be $32.7m

That would be 7th in the league and will likely end up closer to 10th once it arrives.

Jerry reiterated many times “We control Micah for two more years”.

I don’t think Jerry would think twice about tagging him again. He would probably even think he’s being smart

First Tag - 2026. Baseline WR Tag Formula - $27.298 million

Second Tag - 2027 - 120% of the 2026 Tag - $32.758 million

Third Tag - 2028144% of the 2027 Tag (or QB Tag) - $47.171 million+

 

[Stash]

Did they put it into the contract? If not, why not? If the Cowboys tagged him after another big year, that would be 60 million over 2 season.... a BARGAIN.

Keep in mind that this is just my opinion, but I think when they met with Pickens’ agent, this was the private agreement that was made.

The Cowboys get Pickens’ best effort for 2026 and avoid any drama.

And in return, Pickens hits unrestricted free agency next year.

I believe that’s why there was such a quick agreement and end to the speculation.

So why wouldnt they do it? But, who cares. We all know Pickens is trouble, and now that he has 27 million in th ebank, he will blow up and return to his trouble making ways.

I honestly don’t think so. I think he knows what he stands to gain or stands to lose. I think you’ll see the best version of George Pickens in 2026.

He may even get arrested for domestic abuse. He clearly seems like that type. Then he will be in a cell net to Ruggs and the Cowboys decision have been made for them.

Wow! This sounds harsh. And unwarranted.

 

[Pass2Run]

This'll be Pickens last year here.

 

[Stash]

People seem to view Fluornoy like he was a rookie and has an unlimited ceiling and can be coached up to at least WR2 level.

Reality is that due to his age, he gets one shot at a big contract and it will likely be his only chance to cash in because he’ll be clearly on the wrong side of 30 when it’s done.

Age for first NFL game
Fluornoy: 24 years, 345 days!
Pickens: 21 years, 167 days!

There’s 1 year and 4 months difference.

 

[Reality]

Or they tag him again

His 2027 second tag projection will only be $32.7m

That would be 7th in the league and will likely end up closer to 10th once it arrives.

Jerry reiterated many times “We control Micah for two more years”.

I don’t think Jerry would think twice about tagging him again. He would probably even think he’s being smart

First Tag - 2026. Baseline WR Tag Formula - $27.298 million

Second Tag - 2027 - 120% of the 2026 Tag - $32.758 million

Third Tag - 2028144% of the 2027 Tag (or QB Tag) - $47.171 million+

They will most likely tag him in 2027 regardless of their intent as it would be a waste to not do so.

 

[Stash]

With the way they’ve been talking him up, it wouldn’t surprise me if the Cowboys were already talking with Flournoy about a contract extension. They love doing this with ‘their guys.’

 

[Nova]

Against the cap. He's currently at $27m. He probably wouldn't hit that number until the the third year, depending on how they structure it.

But Flournoy is only under contract in 2027. So you'd immediately end up either paying or replacing him too.

Effectively, you'd be losing Pickens for one year of cap relief.

It's not 1 year of cap relief if Flournoy isn't going to have an 30m/yr AAV like Pickens will, though.

In my head (and obviously just projecting here) he could show he's ready for the number 2 slot and only cost around 12m/yr.

That's meaningful cap and future cap that can help build up areas that better correlate to deep post season success than being top heavy at WR.

If you value having two elite WRs then sure, maybe don't do that. But Pickens is a luxury on a team that has many needs, IMO.