As the contract of George Pickens approaches its expiration, executives and talent evaluators at the Senior Bowl have shared insights regarding the future of the Dallas Cowboys” wide receiver. Many believe that retaining Pickens is a priority, with some suggesting a multiyear deal may be more beneficial than using the franchise tag. Others, however, prefer to monitor his off-field behavior for another year before committing to a long-term contract.
During the Cowboys” search for a new defensive coordinator to replace Matt Eberflus, they gained valuable feedback from candidates regarding the impact of Pickens on opposing defenses. Stephen Jones, the Cowboys” executive vice president, highlighted their discussions with defensive coaches, noting that they found Pickens to be a significant challenge during games. “They start talking about, “Oh my gosh, when we had to play you guys, that was a problem,”” Jones said, emphasizing that the presence of Pickens forced defensive teams to make tough choices about coverage strategies.
The Cowboys acquired Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers in May, trading a 2026 third-round draft pick while also swapping draft positions for 2027. Even with the established presence of CeeDee Lamb, a four-time Pro Bowler, Pickens excelled in the subsequent season, achieving a career-high 1,429 receiving yards and nine touchdowns over 17 games. This impressive performance contributed to quarterback Dak Prescott leading the league in pass completions and placing among the top in attempts and passing yards, while the Cowboys ranked second in overall offensive production.
While the Cowboys were aware that Pickens” contract would expire after one season, they aimed to assess both his performance and conduct within head coach Brian Schottenheimer“s system. Although Pickens faced disciplinary action for missing curfews, he rebounded with a strong performance in a subsequent game, catching nine passes for 144 yards and a touchdown.
The Cowboys now face the critical task of determining Pickens” value and how best to secure his services moving forward. Should they choose to retain him for the 2026 season but lack confidence in a long-term deal, they might consider using the franchise tag, which could also allow for negotiations on a multiyear contract to extend until July.
Executives and scouts at the Senior Bowl expressed support for the idea of keeping Pickens, though opinions varied on the approach. Some see merit in a multiyear deal, while others advocate for further observation of Pickens” off-field conduct before making a long-term commitment. There is concern among some executives that Pickens” potential salary could lead to difficult decisions about teammates, such as whether Lamb might become a trade candidate in the coming seasons.
Jones refrained from discussing negotiations publicly but expressed confidence in retaining Pickens. “That”s just something we”ll have to work through,” he stated. “Obviously, we think George is going to be back and we can effectuate that.” As the Cowboys navigate these decisions, the future of Pickens remains a focal point in their offseason strategy.
Meanwhile, the Cowboys are also looking to improve their defensive performance after struggling during the previous season. They are expected to hire Christian Parker, currently the Eagles” defensive backs coach, as their new defensive coordinator. Parker”s extensive coaching background and innovative defensive philosophy are anticipated to bring positive changes to a unit that finished among the league”s worst.
Dallas holds two first-round picks in the upcoming draft, with a focus on bolstering their defense. The Cowboys are optimistic about their potential to develop talent under Parker”s guidance, aiming to enhance their defensive capabilities moving forward.
