Cowboys' Jerry Jones eyes a direct player-negotiation approach for George Pickens. Will this tactic, reminiscent of Micah Parsons' saga, secure the star receiver?
FRISCO - Last spring, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones pretended to not know the name of Micah Parsons’ agent as Jerry and the player worked one-on-one to forge a contract agreement that was never finalized …
In part because super-agent David Mulugheta never OK’ed it.
And eventually, the All-Pro edge rusher Parsons power-pouted his way into a trade to Green Bay.
Is Jones really considering following the same controversial plan this time around as a blockbuster negotiation looms with receiver George Pickens?
"I don't know. We'll see how it goes," Jones vis 105.3 The Fan regarding the idea of visiting directly with the player and/or involving the agent. “Probably both, but I certainly expect to be speaking with George."
Some have characterized this approach as an NFLPA-related violation. Jones - who has frequently included direct contact with players for all of his 36 years in Dallas - doesn’t see it that way.
Furthermore, “the casuals and the nationals” misunderstand when they claim Jones tries to “circumvent” the agents here.
Why? Because no matter how often Micah and Jerry talked, there is every reason to assume that Micah followed up their meetings (some of which Parsons initiated) by passing on the info to his agent.
Additionally, Jerry traditionally ends up “overpaying” his players. So how is “agent circumvention” any sort of a positive tool?
Pickens has proved to be key to the Cowboys' offensive success in 2025, posting career-best numbers with his new team (following last spring’s trade from Pittsburgh.
I’ve been told by a team source that Dallas’ plan now is to prepare to use the $28 million franchise tag on Pickens as a placeholder (due March 3) while the two sides discuss a long-term deal.
NFL.com writes, “It would be a shame if Jones risked alienating another key contributor in the negotiation process. … he’d be foolish to let Pickens walk in free agency.”
But in fact, Dallas has no intention of letting Pickens “walk.”
The Cowboys’ job was to sign Parsons; they failed at that, which from the perspective of Cowboys Nation is Jones’ “fault.”
But the “shame” of negotiations going sour is the responsibility of all parties.
Jones, Parsons and Mulugheta could’ve all fixed last year’s fearsome contractual conflict.
And now? Jones, Pickens and Mulugheta can all prevent this year’s much-feared contractual conflict.
But a little respect shown by Jerry toward the agent couldn’t hurt.