The Dallas Cowboys are reportedly considering the use of their franchise tag on wide receiver George Pickens. However, sports commentator Skip Bayless has voiced strong reservations about such a move during his appearance on “The Arena: Gridiron.”
Bayless stated, “In the end, George Pickens, you can”t trust him to be a winning football player, to be a leader of your team.” He acknowledged Pickens” ability to make significant plays but pointed out that the team”s performance, with a record of 7-9-1, raises concerns. Bayless emphasized that Pickens” behavior, including frequent tardiness and absences from meetings, could undermine team morale, which ultimately led Mike Tomlin, the former Steelers coach, to part ways with him.
If Pickens were a player of strong character, Bayless would advocate for the Cowboys to secure him, arguing that he may even surpass CeeDee Lamb in talent. However, he stressed that Lamb is a proven leader and dependable player, characteristics that Pickens has yet to consistently demonstrate.
After spending his first three seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pickens was traded to the Cowboys last offseason. He made a significant impact in his inaugural season with Dallas, recording a remarkable 93 receptions for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns, ranking third in receiving yards across the NFL.
Despite his on-field achievements, Bayless remains troubled by Pickens” history of disciplinary issues. In a previous season, Pickens was penalized twice for unsportsmanlike conduct during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals, which the Steelers won 44-38. Additionally, he drew attention for kicking a football into the stands after scoring a touchdown in that same game. Earlier that season, he was also involved in a confrontation with Greg Newsome II of the Cleveland Browns during a Hail Mary attempt, further raising questions about his conduct. Reports indicate that Pickens has struggled with punctuality and professionalism as well.
The Cowboys have until March 3 to decide on the franchise tag for Pickens, which would cost them roughly $28 million for the upcoming season. Despite the financial implications, Jerry Jones, the Cowboys” owner, has indicated that the organization is open to the possibility. “It crosses your mind,” Jones remarked, according to ESPN. He noted that many players who have been tagged in the past, like quarterback Dak Prescott, have been reliable and consistently available. “In the past, we”ve done deals with top players, and it”s happened in a hurry,” he added, highlighting the variability in negotiations between agents and teams.
