Dallas might have just gotten some help from an unlikely source when it comes to the chances of Pickens signing the franchise tag.
The Dallas Cowboys and George Pickens' contract saga appears set to drag well into the offseason, because of course, right?
With the Cowboys placing the tag on Pickens, which, if he and Dallas can't agree to a new deal before the July 15 deadline, will pay him roughly $27 million for the 2026 season, there isn't confidence that will happen.
Still, there are some who believe that the Cowboys and Pickens will come to terms on a long-term deal, it is just a matter of when.
Dallas has approached contract discussions differently this offseason... it isn't talking at all.
In fact, Cowboys COO Stephen Jones repeatedly shut down any question at the owners' meeting when it came to Pickens and his future.
No barbs thrown, just a no comment. That's a big shift.
But there are still some who think the Cowboys are fine with Pickens playing on the tag, and the fact that they haven't even spoken to him or his agent, David Mulugheta, is concerning.
However, what is also concerning is the reports that Mulugheta doesn't like his clients playing on the tag, which leaves things in an interesting position.
But as it turns out, Dallas might have just been given a big dose of hope when it comes to Pickens signing his tag, and it's come from an unlikely source.
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts put pen to paper on his tag, which will see him paid a little over $15 million for the 2026 season.
As is the case with Pickens, it is a placeholder for what the Falcons hope will be a long-term deal with Pitts.
But I hear you ask what Pitts signing his tag has to do with Pickens?
Glad you asked, and it all centers on who Pitts' agent is... Mr. Mulugheta.
So he reportedly doesn't like his clients playing on the tag, but the fact Pitts has signed his, in the hopes of a long-term deal, could give the Cowboys hope that George follows suit.
It is certainly an interesting development, and yes, I get that Pickens' new deal will far exceed anything Pitts will make. But the fact that a Mulugheta client signed the tag could mean that it isn't out of the realm of possibility that Pickens can do the same.
So there is hope. It's not much, but at least it's something, right?