Where Cowboys stand on George Pickens contract amid big season

The Dallas Cowboys have had a rollercoaster season, but one bright spot has been wide receiver George Pickens. Acquired in a trade from the Steelers during the offseason, Pickens has been a standout player for the Cowboys, racking up impressive stats of 58 catches for 908 yards and seven touchdowns in the first 10 games of the season.

With Pickens’ contract set to expire at the end of the season, the Cowboys are eager to keep him on the team for the long term. According to a report from NFL Network, the Cowboys are exploring options to sign Pickens beyond 2025, potentially even using the franchise tag to retain him.

Selected in the second round of the 2022 draft by the Steelers, Pickens was traded to Dallas in exchange for draft picks. As he enters the final year of his rookie deal, the Cowboys face a decision on whether to franchise tag Pickens or negotiate a new contract to keep him in Dallas.

Pickens is expected to seek a contract similar to other top wide receivers in the league, with players like Ja’Marr Chase and CeeDee Lamb setting the bar high with lucrative deals. If the Cowboys opt to franchise tag Pickens, it would come at a cost of around $28 million, requiring them to make cap space adjustments.

As of now, no contract talks have begun between Pickens and the Cowboys, but both parties have expressed interest in continuing their relationship. Pickens has voiced his desire to stay in Dallas, while quarterback Dak Prescott sees retaining Pickens as a priority for the team in the offseason.

In addition to Pickens, the Cowboys will also have to address other free agents, including kicker Brandon Aubrey. With the franchise tag only applicable to one player per year, the Cowboys will need to carefully navigate their contract negotiations.

Pickens’ agent, David Mulugheta, who also represents Micah Parsons, will play a key role in the negotiations. During talks with Parsons before his trade to Green Bay, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones admitted he was not familiar with Mulugheta, highlighting the importance of strong representation in contract discussions.

Overall, the Cowboys are eager to secure Pickens’ future with the team and are exploring all options to make it happen. With Pickens’ stellar performance on the field, it’s clear that he is a valuable asset that the Cowboys would like to keep for years to come.