The Dallas Cowboys are facing an unexpected situation with George Pickens delivering excellent football this season. When the Cowboys traded for Pickens, their hope was that he would be an above-average player similar to his first three years with the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, the University of Georgia product has been better than ever, showcasing his big-time threat ability on the field.
Pickens is currently averaging 16.4 yards per catch and has already scored six touchdowns— the most in his four-year career. He has amassed 525 yards on just 32 receptions, highlighting just how impactful he has been for Dallas.
### Upcoming Contract Considerations
With an important contract situation on the horizon, speculations about how much Pickens could command in free agency are increasing. According to an anonymous source cited by Yahoo! Sports, Pickens could potentially land a contract similar to what Tee Higgins recently signed. Higgins agreed to a four-year, $115 million extension with the Cincinnati Bengals.
“That [Pickens acquisition in May] has really worked, but they need to push it now,” the source said. “It’s going to be hard to pay Pickens what he’ll command in [free agency]. Even if you set aside the personality risks, [the Cowboys] would be so top heavy on offense if they paid him. It becomes the Bengals. That got one-dimensional really fast. I think the Pickens’ [negotiation] starts at the Tee Higgins extension, too. I’m sure there’s an impulse to [maximize] Pickens while they have him for this run and then tackle the contract bridge at the [NFL scouting] combine [in February].”
### Should the Cowboys Pay George Pickens?
Given that the Cowboys already have star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb locked up, giving another receiver a huge payday might not be something owner Jerry Jones wants to do. However, Jones has acknowledged that Pickens’ outstanding performance and positive influence on the team makes it a consideration that cannot be ignored.
“As you know, that [extension] even has a competition to it and the very aspect of it,” Jones told reporters this week. “He is doing more than we did expect or that we could’ve expected. And what’s really special is that he’s a real plus to have around the team. He’s a real plus around his teammates. He’s a great plus around those coaches, and those coaches really think highly of him.”
If Jones truly believes in Pickens’ value, it’s possible the Cowboys could explore creative contract solutions that work for both sides.
### Could the Cowboys Trade George Pickens?
The idea of trading Pickens has also come up amid these contract discussions, with some analysts suggesting the Cowboys might get a decent draft pick in return if they move on now. Most recently, sports writer Mike Florio noted that the Cowboys could benefit by trading Pickens, especially if they want to manage cap space.
However, if Dallas remains in playoff contention, it would make little sense to part ways with a player performing as well as Pickens has to start the year.
### Conclusion
George Pickens has quickly become a key offensive weapon for the Dallas Cowboys, and his upcoming contract negotiations will be an important storyline to watch. Whether the team decides to pay him, trade him, or find a creative solution remains to be seen — but one thing is clear: Pickens is making a big impact on the field and in the locker room.
https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/dallas-cowboys/george-pickens-contract-update/
