The Dallas Cowboys understand this offseason is crucial after they missed the playoffs in 2025. The bulk of their attention in terms of moves will be on the defensive side, especially after that unit let the team down this past season.
The Cowboys were able to make some additions, which include Jalen Thompson, Cobie Durant, P.J. Locke, and Derion Kendrick. And with more reinforcements coming in April's draft, it is beginning to look like the worst move of free agency was Dallas not getting an extension done with wide receiver George Pickens.
Cowboys Not Extending George Pickens Was Their Worst Move
The Cowboys and Pickens weren't able to agree to terms on a new deal, which led to Dallas placing the franchise tag on the receiver on February 27. As of this writing, the two sides still haven't agreed on an extension, and the price has only gone up. On March 23, the Seattle Seahawks and Jaxon Smith-Njigba reached an agreement on a four-year, $168.6 million deal, with over $120 million guaranteed. He's now the highest-paid WR in the NFL, making a whopping $42.15 million per year.
As the market typically goes, whoever gets paid last increases the market for other players at the position. And that's the case with Pickens. The Cowboys have expressed that they want to keep Pickens around. With EVP Stephen Jones noting, "We want Pickens here. We think the world of him. Want him here. Love him, and I think he wants to be here. So all that's a plus."
And while they are saying all the right things, the front office hasn't put its money where its mouth is. The Cowboys usually like to wait things out when it comes to extensions, but that approach only costs them money. The fact that they didn't hammer out an extension with their star receiver when they had the chance is only making things harder at the negotiating table.
For Pickens, seeing the WR market touch $40 million plus must put a smile on the face of the wideout, but it can't be the best news for Dallas. In his lone season with the Cowboys, the former Georgia standout showed off his entire arsenal of skills. He finished with 93 catches (137 targets) for 1,429 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. In addition to being a perfect complement to CeeDee Lamb, Pickens was able to make plays downfield, averaging 15.4 yards per reception.
The duo of Pickens and CeeDee Lamb is now one of the best in the NFL, but the Cowboys' inability to agree on a new deal puts the future of this tandem in doubt. Even though he's set to play in Dallas next season, anything beyond that is up in the air. The fact that they couldn't agree on the terms of an extension before Smith-Njigba's deal is telling. And now those conversations are going to get more difficult. Both sides still have July 15 to hammer out an extension, but if nothing is agreed on, Pickens will have no choice but to play on the tag.
The Cowboys haven't made too many moves in free agency, but their inability to extend Pickens has to be their worst move of the offseason.