George Pickens was a hot topic of discussion all offseason for the Dallas Cowboys. But after he stated he’s okay with playing out this season on the franchise tag, talks around him and a contract extension have quieted.
Still, the problem has only been temporarily fixed. At the end of the 2026 season, the debates surrounding Pickens will only get juicier, as fellow wideout CeeDee Lamb will also be going into the final year of his contract. Many believe the team will have to choose between the two dynamic receivers.
As Lamb tells Jori Epstein of Yahoo Sports, Lamb is pleading for a way to keep his new buddy.
“I'm sure we can make a way. I know it's going to be a little crazy, but I know we can make a way for this one. Listen, this is my advocation: '@ Jerry, can you please figure out a way? Let's figure it out. I don't care what needs to happen,'” Lamb told Jori Epstein of Yahoo Sports.
CeeDee Lamb wants George Pickens to stay in the name of winning Super Bowls
“’Let's figure it out and it's going to get you a couple more championships."
They were strong words coming from Lamb. He sounds ready to go to the team owner right now and hammer out a new deal. But if we know Jones and the Cowboys, they will let it wait until the last minute to figure out the financial issues.
Theoretically, Dallas could pick up Pickens on the franchise tag yet again after this season. It would make him one of the highest-paid wideouts in the game next to Lamb. But he’s probably going to want a long-term deal with more security and guaranteed money- which he will most likely deserve when the time comes.
Many analysts are skeptical that the Cowboys can retain Pickens after this season. The truth, though, is that a lot depends on how the season plays out.
If Dallas really is the “Greatest Offense There Is,” then the team may feel more inclined to secure all the offensive weapons for the foreseeable future. Plus, depending on team success, players could be more willing to find creative ways to keep the squad together. Is that not what Lamb just suggested?
At the end of the day, though, the biggest risk is allowing Pickens to hit the open market. Other teams will likely offer him big contracts should he have another All-Pro campaign. That’s when it’s going to be tough for the Cowboys to match and keep him on the team. The leverage has essentially been lost.
Yet, Lamb sounds motivated to find a way to keep the band together. If he’s telling the truth, the current depth chart could potentially be the offense for the next three to five seasons, and that is very exciting to think about.
Super Bowl-bound for the foreseeable future? Maybe, but they have to keep the so-called "GOTI" band together if they want those chances.
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