The Cowboys Next Move Feels Like a George Pickens Extension

[big dog cowboy]

Really good article. Gets into the salary cap too.

The Cowboys Next Move Feels Like a George Pickens Extension
April 21, 2026,
by Cody Warren

George Pickens contract extension alt text: Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens celebrates with the football in his hand during a game, as questions grow about whether he will land a contract extension.

The Brandon Aubrey deal is finally finished, and that puts my focus exactly where it belongs now. George Pickens.

If the Cowboys want more breathing room before the draft class hits the books, this is the next logical move. I don’t think this should be too complicated because Dallas already made the decision to franchise tag him.

Now they need to finish the job. Aubrey is signed, and the draft class is coming. The cap space is needed to get all the rookies into camp.

This is simple; sign George Pickens long term or trade him. The balls in your court Cowboys front office.

Much more: https://insidethestar.com/the-cowboys-next-move-feels-like-a-george-pickens-extension

 

[Stash]

I think this writer is way off in his assumptions of a Pickens contract.

His numbers from Spotrac are no longer valid. They were done prior to the offseason and based on old numbers. JSN has now reset the market at $42 million a year.

Pickens and his agent aren’t going to settle for $12 million a year less.

 

[Rayman70]

We aren't paying 2 top dollar wideouts. Not happening. I don't think he will be on this team. The math ain't mathing. Take the money and fix other areas.

 

[Carson]

I think this writer is way off in his assumptions of a Pickens contract.

His numbers from Spotrac are no longer valid. They were done prior to the offseason and based on old numbers. JSN has now reset the market at $42 million a year.

Pickens and his agent aren’t going to settle for $12 million a year less.

Exactly. He can be franchised this and next year and make nearly $50 million

 

[phildadon86]

I think this writer is way off in his assumptions of a Pickens contract.

His numbers from Spotrac are no longer valid. They were done prior to the offseason and based on old numbers. JSN has now reset the market at $42 million a year.

Pickens and his agent aren’t going to settle for $12 million a year less.

Nope. As always. This FO waited too long.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I think this writer is way off in his assumptions of a Pickens contract.

His numbers from Spotrac are no longer valid. They were done prior to the offseason and based on old numbers. JSN has now reset the market at $42 million a year.

Pickens and his agent aren’t going to settle for $12 million a year less.

I don’t think they will either but if they truly don’t have a market for him then then yeah I do see him 12 million less. 12 million less won’t get a deal done though IMo. I thought he did enough to rehabilitate his image but maybe he hasn’t.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Exactly. He can be franchised this and next year and make nearly $50 million

Yeah but no one is signing that Cowboys would just let him walk. It’s about what other team are willing to sign him for and im
Not sure why that is. I thought a Lamb type deal initially.

 

[Stash]

Exactly. He can be franchised this and next year and make nearly $50 million

Which is exactly what I expect the Cowboys to do.

At least one - possibly two - more seasons of under market value for a top wide receiver.

 

[Stash]

Nope. As always. This FO waited too long.

I think they’ve been intentional. I don’t think they ever had any intention of signing him long term. They know they can have him for one or two more years at an under market cost.

 

[thunderpimp91]

Which is exactly what I expect the Cowboys to do.

At least one - possibly two - more seasons of under market value for a top wide receiver.

Under market value by AAV, but you're paying a premium cap hit by going that route. He's for sure a top 10 cap guy, probably top 5 WR.

 

[atlantacowboy]

Mugaletta's clients don't play on tags. So, if we don't sign him or trade him, it's possible we don't see him until week 10.

 

[phildadon86]

I think they’ve been intentional. I don’t think they ever had any intention of signing him long term. They know they can have him for one or two more years at an under market cost.

28 million a year is a lot to invest when you already have lamb. Its actually pretty dumb to spend a third on a player for 2 years, possibly 3, with his history of drama.

You think Pickens is going to enjoy being tagged 2 years in a row? Unnecessary drama this team seemingly cant avoid.

 

[LouBrown]

The number has pretty much always been $40m, or close to it.

Dallas isn't going to do that until like August, because they are stupid.

 

[Hawkeye19]

I think they’ve been intentional. I don’t think they ever had any intention of signing him long term. They know they can have him for one or two more years at an under market cost.

Yup. Under market cost, disgruntled player, contract distractions in the locker room, incessant media criticism about the “negotiation”, fan base anxiety about the roster, drama over a potential holdout until week 10 etc…

This is the norm for this FO

 

[thunderpimp91]

28 million a year is a lot to invest when you already have lamb. Its actually pretty dumb to spend a third on a player for 2 years, possibly 3, with his history of drama.

You think Pickens is going to enjoy being tagged 2 years in a row? Unnecessary drama this team seemingly cant avoid.

I'd agree....if you're going to give him around $60m guaranteed between two tag years why not just sign him long term? Give him around $80m guaranteed over 4 years and cut his cap hit in half so you can upgrade the rest of the roster.

 

[Stash]

Under market value by AAV, but you're paying a premium cap hit by going that route. He's for sure a top 10 cap guy, probably top 5 WR.

Short term pain for long term gain. Can’t play kick the can forever.

 

[Stash]

28 million a year is a lot to invest when you already have lamb. Its actually pretty dumb to spend a third on a player for 2 years, possibly 3, with his history of drama.

For a top 10 receiver? Yeah, no.

You think Pickens is going to enjoy being tagged 2 years in a row? Unnecessary drama this team seemingly cant avoid.

Enjoy? No. Take the money and play? Yes.

They may not franchise tag him for two years.

 

[Rayman70]

Pickens will throw a fit. Guaranteed. Let another team pay him the bag. One year for 28 mil on the tag is too much headache.

 

[Stash]

Yup. Under market cost, disgruntled player, contract distractions in the locker room, incessant media criticism about the “negotiation”, fan base anxiety about the roster, drama over a potential holdout until week 10 etc…

This is the norm for this FO

Seems a ‘price’ they’re willing to ‘pay’ to get their discounts.

 

[Kingofholland]

We aren't paying 2 top dollar wideouts. Not happening. I don't think he will be on this team. The math ain't mathing. Take the money and fix other areas.

Does seem hard to allocate top money to each, but when structuring the contract they can manipulate years so you're not paying guys top 5 money in the same year and then there are dummy years. For example Ceedee's Cap hit is 46 million next year which would make him the 2nd highest paid. Maybe Pickens cap hit is 10-15 million for 2027, but then goes up in 2028 when Ceedee's is 25 million.