The price for Pickens just went up, and now we get to see just how much the Cowboys want to keep George.
If Dallas Cowboys fans were a little concerned over the George Pickens contract situation, well, that has now been kicked into overdrive.
The Seattle Seahawks signed Jaxon Smith-Njigba to a four-year, $168.6 million contract. That's roughly $42 million APY.
And you better believe George and his agent, David Mulugheta, have taken notice.
With the Pickens franchise tagged for just over $27 million for the 2026 season, there is now a real thought that George could ask for $40 million, if not more.
That scares people.
It has now gotten to the point where those who were laughed at for suggesting the Cowboys could trade Pickens weeks ago, aren't getting laughed at anymore.
It's a real consideration.
Because if George really does ask for $40 million, or even more than JSN, what should Dallas do?
Sign him to that monster deal, or look to trade him?
Our own Mike Fisher has detailed why this latest development in the receiver market now has some pushing the red panic button as it pertains to what the franchise might do with George.
"This wouldn't be nearly as worrisome without the Micah thing," Fish said. "Before the Micah thing, the Cowboys often dragged it out, but they got it done. Dak drag out. CeeDee Lamb drag out. Tank Lawrence twice.
"Micah Parsons is the one crack in that armor where you now get to say they drag it out, cost themselves too much money, that's their business. But with Micah, then they didn't get their business done.”
And Fish is right.
Prior to Micah, there was always a thought with Dak and CeeDee that even though the contract saga dragged out, the Cowboys would always handle their business.
But the one player who broke that chain was Micah.
So what is stopping Cowboys Nation from thinking the franchise won't do the same with Pickens? Absolutely nothing.
Because if the franchise can trade away a talent like Micah, they can surely deal Pickens.
Granted, there is still a sense that the Cowboys could get something done with Pickens, but now with JSN's latest development, hope appears to be dwindling.
And that is what is worrisome.
Fans felt sure the Cowboys would re-sign Micah. They didn't.
Now, Pickens is front and center.
Will history repeat itself?