For now, the Dallas Cowboys have no reason to believe George Pickens isn't happy there. He agreed to sign the franchise tag tender, and he's been vocal about how much he enjoyed his first year with Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb.
That said, we've all seen how quickly things can change in this league. Someone says the wrong thing, and all of a sudden, another guy wants to leave. Pickens is a high-character and volatile player, and the way he feels today may not be how he feels about the tag a month from now.
Considering that, ESPN analyst Mina Kimes believes other teams could ultimately explore trading for him. Talking to fellow analyst Bill Barnwell, she floated the possibility of the Kansas City Chiefs trading away a 2027 second-round pick to get Pickens.
The Kansas City Chiefs might explore a George Pickens trade, says Mina Kimes
“If you’re [Chiefs GM] Brett Veach, would you consider trading a 2027 second for George Pickens?” Kimes asked Barnwell, who immediately shut down the idea, citing the uncertainty regarding Patrick Mahomes' health.
That said, the Chiefs have been operating as if Patrick Mahomes will be on the field in Week 1. And even if that's not the case, he may not miss more than a couple of games, and they have a proven backup in Justin Fields.
The Cowboys claimed that there have been no takers for Pickens' contract, but that usually means "we haven't received an offer we like enough to let him go." A second-round selection in a stacked 2027 NFL Draft class might be more than enough to change their minds.
The Chiefs don't have many weapons for the passing game right now. Rashee Rice is a wild card, Xavier Worthy has only shown flashes in his two years, and Tyquan Thornton might only be a big-play specialist.
This will likely be Travis Kelce's final year in the league, and the Chiefs want to get back to the mountaintop after missing the playoffs for the first time in the Mahomes era. Adding Pickens to the mix would certainly help.
Of course, this does not mean the Cowboys should move on from Pickens. Unless they get an offer they can't refuse, they should, by all means, keep him in town. Nevertheless, this whole franchise tag situation sounds way too good to be true, and it's hard to believe that Pickens will continue to be happy there, with no financial and long-term security, knowing that he can get more money and a long-term deal with guarantees if he's traded. It just doesn't add up.
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