Pickens right now is set to play on the tag, with so many scenarios available to him, but he's just gotten some rather good advice on how to handle his situation.
The Dallas Cowboys franchise-tagged star receiver George Pickens and have made it clear that no negotiations over a long-term deal will take place this season.
That can be a rather tough scenario to go through.
Playing on a one-year deal without the hope of a long-term extension until next offseason at the earliest isn't great.
As such, some think that Pickens could choose to hold out of mandatory practices, which he would be fined for, or even miss games as he pushes for a long-term deal.
But that would only hinder Pickens, not Dallas.
So, what are the options for George?
Well, Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith, who has also gone through a contract saga with Jerry Jones, offered Pickens some rather sound advice on how to navigate this season.
“You just ran into the business side of sports,” Smith said. “It’s nothing else but pure business. Try not to take it personally, I know you will, because I would take it personally too. But if you do shuttle that energy over into your performance, because I think your performance is going to speak a lot louder than anything else.
"Allow your mood and your focus on dominating as a wide receiver so you can position yourself for free agency, or to be traded, better options next year."
That is great advice.
If Pickens pouts this offseason, and it leaks into the regular season, there is a real chance that other teams will say thanks but no thanks as far as offering him a huge contract next season.
But be a team player, play well, do all the right things, and be the same person we saw last year, and that will certainly see the market for Pickens grow.
And for Emmitt, that course of action will help George.
“What it sends is, it sends the right message that you are worthy of the dollars that you want. It puts you in a better light."
No doubt, as teams will see that the issues that he had in Pittsburgh, while they briefly showed themselves last season, are now well and truly gone.
So, it seems there is only one course of action that will help Pickens get what he wants.
And that's to show up when he's needed to, put his head down, work hard, and let the chips fall where they may.
Anything else could be detrimental to what he's trying to achieve.
