Stephen says Cowboys will finalize franchise tag for George Pickens

[Hawkeye0202]

There's no indication that Dallas is interested in trading him,

Never has been .........just media/fan talk

 

[gimmesix]

His own team has decided he isn’t worth signing when another team already has and he’s going to be happy about that? He is not going to shrug off the insult. The other 31 teams will know why he isn’t happy. It’s the reason the other 31 teams don’t treat their star players like that.

He’ll be there ready to play every game unless he’s injured, of course. He can’t play if he’s ailing. Football is a very physical game. Guys get hurt.

Other teams don't have players play on the franchise tag? No team is going to offer him a deal if the cost is two first-rounders. They would only do that if Dallas is willing to come down on the tag price. The Cowboys would have to want to trade him to do that.

Plenty of players have been tagged over the years, not reached a long-term agreement and not treated it like an insult.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

His own team has decided he isn’t worth signing when another team already has and he’s going to be happy about that?

You lost me..........his own team decided he isn't worth signing? What team?

 

[gimmesix]

True but apples and oranges......Pickens isn't trying to be the highest-paid player at his position and certainly isn't bragging and letting the whole world know. Also, when your head coach, quarterbacks and WR teammates are standing on the table for your return, that says something. NOT one player, other than Diggs, stood on the table for Parsons.

If Pickens and his side want $30 million-plus per year and the tag is $28 million, then he wants more than the tag says he's worth. There's nothing wrong with that, but Dallas can take the position that here's what we have to pay you under the tag vs. your APY with what you're seeking. Most likely, they would come in somewhere between the tag amount and what the player is seeking.

However, again, Pickens was traded to us for less than he was worth as a player because of behavioral concerns. I have no problem with the team wanting to challenge his behavior for one year under the tag before committing a whole lot of guaranteed money to him.

 

[gimmesix]

I would gladly take a late 1st and late 3rd from NE. I would even toss in Schoonmaker just for the fun of it.

Because you already know we are drafting a TE.

I would not because we would then need to use a first-round pick on a No. 2 receiver for the offense to be as good as it was last year. And you don't know how that receiver is going to turn out. I'd rather hold on to our players who have shown they can star on this level and focus on fixing the other side of the ball with free agency and the draft.

With Pickens, I only want to go with the tag this year to give him another year to prove that his behavior is worthy of a long-term deal with a huge amount of guaranteed money.

 

[gimmesix]

I would gladly take a late 1st and late 3rd from NE. I would even toss in Schoonmaker just for the fun of it.

Because you already know we are drafting a TE.

How would you replace Pickens and his production?

 

[Chasing6]

I would not because we would then need to use a first-round pick on a No. 2 receiver for the offense to be as good as it was last year. And you don't know how that receiver is going to turn out. I'd rather hold on to our players who have shown they can star on this level and focus on fixing the other side of the ball with free agency and the draft.

With Pickens, I only want to go with the tag this year to give him another year to prove that his behavior is worthy of a long-term deal with a huge amount of guaranteed money.

We don't need to score 30 points a game, if you fix the Defense.

Why is that not comprehend-able?

Plus Dak had a better year in 2023 without Pickens, than he did this year with Pickens.

You don't have to draft a WR. You can sign one in FA.

 

[DarkVader33]

They drive me crazy. Every time Jerry or Stephen talks, it feels like they honestly believe fans want to hear their spin — but we don’t. Most of us are just sitting there thinking, how do you keep saying the same crap over and over?

What really sets me off is this whole “we’re going to tag the player and we want him here” routine. If you truly want him here, then act like it. You negotiate the contract first, and only use the tag if talks completely fall apart. The tag is supposed to be the backup plan, not the strategy.

Pickens’ camp already made it clear they’re looking for $30 million. The tag number is around $28 million. That’s a $2 million gap — not some massive, franchise‑breaking difference. Yet here we are, dragging this out like it’s an impossible problem to solve.

Just sign George Pickens already. Every day this keeps going, Cowboys fans get more frustrated, and for good reason. Jerry and Stephen keep talking themselves in circles, and it looks like two people who still don’t have a clear plan. The front office feels disconnected from reality, and fans are losing their patience watching it happen in real time.

How would you replace Pickens and his production?

Free agent. Flournoy potentially. The only drawback is if CD gets hurt and most teams don't have that luxury.

 

[Chasing6]

Free agent. Flournoy potentially. The only drawback is if CD gets hurt and most teams don't have that luxury.

Good chance our best player available at 12 could be a WR.

Also a good chance Boston would also be available at 20 or even later in the first.

I would take a rookie WR, a late first round pick and saving $35M/$140M for Pickens all day long.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

If Pickens and his side want $30 million-plus per year and the tag is $28 million, then he wants more than the tag says he's worth. There's nothing wrong with that, but Dallas can take the position that here's what we have to pay you under the tag vs. your APY with what you're seeking. Most likely, they would come in somewhere between the tag amount and what the player is seeking.

However, again, Pickens was traded to us for less than he was worth as a player because of behavioral concerns. I have no problem with the team wanting to challenge his behavior for one year under the tag before committing a whole lot of guaranteed money to him.

Exactly and my guess is that's part of Stephen Jones offer.....one elite year is not enough for the money you are asking. Not many fans know or remember this but Dlaw had a similar situation. He had a career year the final season of his rookie deal but Stephen Jones refused top pay him top dollars UNLESS he ran back another double-sack season. He did and got his contract........

That's not to say he's low-balling Pickens (my guess is he's offering $28-30M), but he's saying one-year sampling isn't enough.

 

[Chasing6]

Exactly and my guess is that's part of Stephen Jones offer.....one elite year is not enough for the money you are asking. Not many fans know or remember this but Dlaw had a similar situation. He had a career year the final season of his rookie deal but Stephen Jones refused top pay him top dollars UNLESS he ran back another double-sack season. He did and got his contract........

That's not to say he's low-balling Pickens (my guess is he's offering $28-30M), but he's saying one-year sampling isn't enough.

How can you guess that, when they have not even started talking? Mulla-Ghetta has stated he hopes negotiations start at the combine.

 

[ChuckA1]

Good chance our best player available at 12 could be a WR.

Also a good chance Boston would also be available at 20 or even later in the first.

I would take a rookie WR, a late first round pick and saving $35M/$140M for Pickens all day long.

If they spend the 12th pick on a WR, I'll be pissed. I realize that doesn't matter to anyone but me, but it'll be a sign they still don't realize just how bad the 2025 defense was. 12 and 20 both need to be defensive players with a solid group of FA's to make any significant improvements.

 

[Q_the_man]

So he is not going to be signed before FA starts.

Then we have to hold $$28M and the Jones will use it as an excuse to not be active early in FA. Or they will be active and sign low level players like they did last year, thinking that was going to fool fans.

Well I surely hope we were going into free agency with more than 28 mil in cap space after all the restructuring. I thought we could get up to like 73 mil available cap space after we restructure contracts?

 

[ConstantReboot]

Good chance our best player available at 12 could be a WR.

Also a good chance Boston would also be available at 20 or even later in the first.

I would take a rookie WR, a late first round pick and saving $35M/$140M for Pickens all day long.

I’d rather put that $30M into Pickens and actually try to win. Fix the defense through the draft and free agency, make a real push for the playoffs, and see where it takes us. Yes, a Super Bowl run is never guaranteed, but at least you’re giving the team a real shot.

What I don’t understand is the obsession with saving $35M a year just to end up watching the playoffs from the couch year after year. Playing it safe doesn’t win championships. Teams willing to take swings in free agency—like the Patriots—have rebuilt entire defenses by spending big. They weren’t afraid to drop $150M on free agents to get competitive again, and it worked.

We’re Cowboys fans. The goal should be getting to the big game, not protecting the wallet of an 80-year-old billionaire who can afford to spend. I’d rather see the team be aggressive and fail trying than sit back, save money, and go nowhere.

 

[Chasing6]

Well I surely hope we were going into free agency with more than 28 mil in cap space after all the restructuring. I thought we could get up to like 73 mil available cap space after we restructure contracts?

I am not a cap expert. But we are $25M in hole currently. $28M to tag Pickens. Need approximately $10M for rookies and it is nice to have $8M to $10M going into the season for emergencies.

That right there is almost $75M alone, without really doing anything. We still need to sign Aubrey - I would expect at least $8M. Sounds like they are hoping to bring Clowney back.

I’d rather put that $30M into Pickens and actually try to win. Fix the defense through the draft and free agency, make a real push for the playoffs, and see where it takes us. Yes, a Super Bowl run is never guaranteed, but at least you’re giving the team a real shot.

What I don’t understand is the obsession with saving $35M a year just to end up watching the playoffs from the couch year after year. Playing it safe doesn’t win championships. Teams willing to take swings in free agency—like the Patriots—have rebuilt entire defenses by spending big. They weren’t afraid to drop $150M on free agents to get competitive again, and it worked.

We’re Cowboys fans. The goal should be getting to the big game, not protecting the wallet of an 80-year-old billionaire who can afford to spend. I’d rather see the team be aggressive and fail trying than sit back, save money, and go nowhere.

i think my option gives a better chance to win.

Dak had a better year in 2023 without Pickens.

 

[Chasing6]

Well I surely hope we were going into free agency with more than 28 mil in cap space after all the restructuring. I thought we could get up to like 73 mil available cap space after we restructure contracts?

I am not a cap expert. But we are $25M in hole currently. $28M to tag Pickens. Need approximately $10M for rookies and it is nice to have $8M to $10M going into the season for emergencies.

That right there is almost $75M alone, without really doing anything. We still need to sign Aubrey - I would expect at least $8M. Sounds like they are hoping to bring Clowney back.

Can it be done, yes. Will it be done, doubtful.

 

[Coogiguy03]

I think that's the plan...rather than signing him long term....I think they are going to try and flip him for a late 1st or an early 2nd.

I love this!!! Tell us there was an offer we couldn't refuse!!!

 

[Coogiguy03]

We think the world of him, but in no rush to actually sign him.

Typical Stephen lingo don't get caught in the trap my friend lol he feels this way about every player

 

[KingCorcoran]

You lost me..........his own team decided he isn't worth signing? What team?

If the Cowboys allow his agent to seek a potential trade partner and they agree on terms, but the Cowboys aren’t satisfied with what that team offers in trade. No deal. Pickens would be very disappointed.

That’s a potential scenario with a tagged player. Dallas won’t get max. value in trade under those circumstances. And there will be other good wide receivers available for substantially less in trade.

 

[KingCorcoran]

Other teams don't have players play on the franchise tag? No team is going to offer him a deal if the cost is two first-rounders. They would only do that if Dallas is willing to come down on the tag price. The Cowboys would have to want to trade him to do that.

Plenty of players have been tagged over the years, not reached a long-term agreement and not treated it like an insult.

Except for Dak, what best free agent available embraced being franchise tagged? And in the end, Dak, a quarterback, parlayed that into being the highest paid player in the history of the NFL. It’s been a year and a half since Dak signed and he’s still that player.

You trust the same numb skull that painted himself into a corner with Dak to pull off a positive scenario tagging Pickens? I don’t.