The Cowboys appear content with having Pickens play on the tag in 2026, but what if another team comes calling on draft night?
Dallas Cowboys receiver George Pickens remains a major topic of discussion as the NFL Draft approaches.
With the Cowboys placing the tag on George, the Pro Bowl receiver, barring no long-term deal, will then play on the tag in 2026, which is roughly $27 million.
So there is still time for Pickens and the Cowboys to work out a long-term deal, but the fact that no talks, at least to our knowledge, have taken place recently, is a little odd.
Still, there remains hope that Pickens will be in Dallas in 2026.
Cowboys COO Stephen Jones stated on 105.3 The Fan, that the franchise hasn't received any calls on George, which speaks volumes. However, teams could also be waiting until the draft.
NFL.com's Kevin Patra puts forth a rather thought-provoking question to the Cowboys surrounding Pickens on draft night.
"How long will the George Pickens situation drag on? If Dallas gets an offer for the wideout heading into the draft, will Jerry Jones pull the trigger despite his insistence that Pickens is a long-term Cowboy?" Patra wrote.
That is a fascinating question.
If a team does call the Cowboys about Pickens, will they listen?
Jerry and Stephen have repeatedly stated that they want Pickens around in Dallas long term, but as we know, actions speak louder.
With the Cowboys holding two first-round picks, a third, a fourth, three fifth-round picks, and a seventh, that's a lot of capital, but after the first round, Dallas doesn't have too much to play with if it wants more starters for Christian Parker's defense.
But what if a team pops up and offers Dallas a second-round pick for George?
It would, in theory, allow the franchise to go after, say, Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez or Texas Longhorn Anthony Hill Jr. in the second round.
If the Cowboys grab two defensive players in the first-round, and get another in the second before then having another six picks in the draft, but lose Pickens, would the franchise do that?
Dallas' stance on Pickens hasn't changed, but if the opportunity is presented to move on, secure additional draft capital, and not have the $27 million tag count against the cap, would the Cowboys do it?
Personally, I don't think so. But then again, I didn't think Micah Parsons was getting traded either.