Star receiver George Pickens reportedly demands long-term deal or trade, surprising Cowboys who expected him to sign franchise tag and play.
FRISCO - In a strange and quick twist, star wide receiver George Pickens has issued a trade-related ultimatum to the Dallas Cowboys.
Or so claims a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter ... that in another twist, doesn't exactly read like a traditional "report'' at all.
Pickens, who experienced a breakout season in 2025 after being acquired from Steelers last spring via trade, has seemingly been all about labor peace this offseason.
He's made no statements suggesting disgruntlement. He's vacationed with CeeDee Lamb. He's worked out with Dak Prescott. And over the course of NFL Draft weekend, the Cowboys were under the impression he was going to sign his $27.3 million franchise tag.
Said Cowboys owner Jerry Jones: "Based on what's his his best interest, it doesn't surprise me at all ... It's in his best interest for the rest of his life to come in here and have the greatest season with Dak Prescott and pick up $27 million on his way on the side. Go out there and set himself up."
But on Monday comes a triple-barreled shot of news - or, I should say, "purported news.''
One, Pickens, intentions aside, as I write this has not officially signed his tender.
Two, Dallas signed another veteran receiver in Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
And, three, ESPN NFL "insider'' Adam Schefter has revealed a new update on the Pickens situation.
“Look,'' Schefter sort of mumbled during a Monday appearance on the “Pat McAfee Show,” "he wants a long-term contract or he would like a trade.”
Whoa. Where did that come from? And most importantly, what's the Cowboys' reaction?
"That's news to us,'' a source tells me on Monday evening. "There's not going to be any trade.''
That's my report. And I'm not mumbling it.
Jones and the Cowboys are already on-record as saying they want Pickens to play in 2026 under the tag and do not intend on any more negotiations this summer.
Nor, again, do they plan to trade him. (And yes, I write that with full knowledge of the Micah Parsons fiasco and how things can change. And as soon as Pickens takes a nap on the sidelines during a game, I'll alert you.)
Ther Cowboys are paying star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb $34 million per year. They have some reluctance to do the same with Pickens in part due to his behavioral history; they'd like more evidence that he's "the right kind of guy'' in that area.
Is Pickens suddenly balking at that position? It's possible ... though it's odd that Schefter hasn't written this very important news story on the ESPN site. Nor has he tweeted it.
He just kinda ... tossed it out there as an aside while on TV.
As to the Cowboys position?
"We have no intention of moving George," COO Stephen Jones said after Day 1 of the NFL draft wrapped up Thursday night. "In our mind, we're fired up about it. Ready to come in here and sign his tender, in our mind, that means go to work."
In the end, the Cowboys still hold almost all of the cards. Pickens could stage a lengthy holdout, but would lose millions of dollars (and maybe hurt his reputation) by doing so. Dallas could listen to trade offers, but which team out there wants to give up a premium pick and pay him, say, $140 million?
If Pickens and his agent David Mulugheta have some top-secret plan here? Well, they haven't informed the Cowboys. That much is for sure.
Last season with Dallas, Pickens ended up playing in all 17 regular-season games and racked up 93 receptions for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns, all of which were career-high numbers.
His behavioral blemishes were few.
His best bet is to put his efforts into repeating that performance. But if he's intent on creating turbulent headlines? He's capable of doing that.
And so, it seems, is Adam Schefter.