Dallas could secure their star receiver Pickens with a lucrative, fully guaranteed deal, avoiding tag disputes.
FRISCO - The Dallas Cowboys have done the necessary things to have contractual control with regard to George Pickens.
By virtue of having franchise-tagged Pickens at one year and $27.3 million guaranteed, the standout receiver figures to be in a Cowboys uniform - even with any spring and summer holdouts - for 2026.
But on a personality level, the issue of holdouts and disgruntlement do linger.
And on a financial level? That $27.3 million figure, assuming it's not altered by a long-term contract agreement before the July 15 deadline - eats up a gigantic chuck of Dallas salary cap.
So while the Cowboys have most of the leverage for 2026, "leverage'' doesn't win football games.
Oh, and the Cowboys hold the same leverage for 2027, as they could tag Pickens a second time, at a 120-percent increase over that $27.3 million number. ... while at the same time inviting more possible issues of disgruntlement.
Short of agreeing to get Pickens paid like the superstar his agent David Mulugheta surely insists he is (we might be talking about more than $30 million APY, maybe even numbers that approach teammate CeeDee Lamb's $34 million APY), there's got to be a better way, right?
Right.
And we think we've calculated that "better way.''
If the Cowboys use the franchise tag twice, Pickens gets his $27.3 million this year plus another $32.76 million for 2027.
That two-year total equals $60.6 million.
So ... rather than fuss over tags, Dallas should make that offer now.
Two years and $60.6 million - the same money Pickens is lined up to make, anyway.
The added benefit for Dallas? Add void years and spread out the cap impact so other roster moves can be made to help bolster the roster around Pickens.
The added benefits for George? It's fully guaranteed well in advance of any devastating injury over the course of the two years, and it's fully guaranteed well in advance of any decline in play, too.
Allow him to hit free agency after 2027 by building into the contract a promise that he won't be tagged a third time.
Oh, and one more thing: Tell him you'll write the check today. Full guarantee. Today.
George Pickens will become "The 60 Million Dollar Man'' in a manner that is generous and virtually unprecedented.
Pickens caught 93 passes for 1,429 yards last season, third-most in the NFL for yardage. He performed as if he's a top-six wideout in the NFL ... but he's only done that for one year. The Cowboys might have some reluctance to believe he'll do the same thing for the next four years.
This idea cuts that skepticism-driven risk in half, keeps "the gang together'' for two more years of "The Dak Prescott Window,'' allows harmony in the locker room and generates positive PR for the marketing-obsessed owner Jerry Jones.
The Cowboys and George Pickens don't need conflict. They need compromise.
Gentlemen, you can rebuild this. You have the technology.
Y'all need to agree to make George Pickens "The 60 Million Dollar Man.''