Cowboys owner Jerry Jones reached the point where he doesn’t want to envision George Pickens putting on another jersey.
The contract-year wide receiver leads the Cowboys with 67 receptions for 1,054 yards and eight touchdowns along with a team-best 15.7 average per reception. He’s taking attention away from CeeDee Lamb, and quarterback Dak Prescott is on pace for 36 touchdown passes and more than 4,500 passing yards.
“We’ve got two No. 1 receivers,” Jones told 105.3 FM The Fan on Tuesday. “And that’s just exceptional right at this time. Guess what? Our quarterback is probably the best that he’s ever been. There’s more there.”
Pickens, 24, was available in a trade from the Steelers in part because he was labeled as immature and abrasive in Pittsburgh. The current season is the final year of his rookie contract.
“He’s an outstanding, let me emphasize this again, outstanding teammate,” Jones said. “He brings energy to the team even when he’s not making some of those great receptions. Bottom line, it’s working, and it’s precious to have it here right at this time with what we’re trying to do with Dak and how we’re trying to maximize having him.”
Dallas signed Lamb to a four-year, $136 million deal just before the 2024 regular season began. Based on the current market and Pickens’ production, he could be in the same neighborhood — or above — as Lamb on a long-term deal.
“There’s nothing that we can do. I know it’s fun, but there’s nothing that we can gain from speculating and conjecture,” Jones said of potentially paying Pickens more than Lamb. “The bottom line is that we’re in good shape. We built the trade so that we could have potentially our options, and of course, frankly, he’s lived and is playing better than we could’ve even anticipated.”
Pickens turns 25 on March 4, which comes after the NFL franchise tag deadline.
Last week he said he wasn’t sure how he would accept the Cowboys opting for the tag if the sides can’t reach a long-term agreement by March. The one-year value of the franchise tag is projected to be around $25.5 million in 2026.
Lamb said he gets the sense the Cowboys are not going to let Pickens out the door. They acquired Pickens after signing running back Javonte Williams in free agency for $3.5 million.
With cap available in the offseason, Dallas is also expected to address newly acquired defensive tackle Quinnen Williams’ contract and look for additional help on defense.
Lamb knows where he would spend the Cowboys’ cash.
“I have the most confidence that we’re going to keep him, and I’m sure that he wants to be here with how much fun he’s having and everything he’s accomplishing on the field,” he said last week. “So for us as his teammates, I feel like it’s pretty clear: We want GP back.”
