Thirty years have passed since the last time the Dallas Cowboys won a Super Bowl. Thirty years have passed since they last reached an NFC Championship Game. Thirty years of promises. Thirty years of watching Jerry Jones dismantle the Cowboys. Thirty years of history filled with frustration for fans of the franchise with the Lone Star.
The 2025 season ended quickly for the Dallas Cowboys. The team never managed to stay at the top of the NFC East and once again watched the Philadelphia Eagles claim the division crown with authority and consistency.
Still, there was one element that offered hope that the team can remain competitive and explosive on offense: the arrival of George Pickens and his performance throughout the 18-week regular-season calendar.
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However, a crucial free-agency period is approaching, one in which Jerry Jones will need all his negotiating skills to retain the wide receiver and continue giving the offense a legitimate chance to dominate in that area.
George Pickens’ great season with Dallas
No other player had as much impact as George Pickens did with the Dallas Cowboys. He became the ideal replacement for CeeDee Lamb when Lamb suffered an ankle injury and later had to miss time under concussion protocol.
Pickens finished his first year in Dallas with 1,429 receiving yards. He arrived from the Pittsburgh Steelers surrounded by doubts, not about his talent, but about his behavior and overall attitude.
Despite that, he bought into what Brian Schottenheimer wanted and delivered a truly spectacular season. Although he only signed a one-year deal with Dallas, negotiations are now underway for a longer stay, something Dak Prescott clearly wants.
Dak Prescott’s big dream for 2026 is keeping George Pickens in Dallas
The Cowboys quarterback sent a clear, direct, and unfiltered message to Jerry Jones, the team’s owner and general manager, stating that he wants George Pickens by his side in 2026 no matter what.
The guy out here that doesn’t have a contract.” “Whichever way they do it, he’s an important piece of this offense, and an important piece of what we’re trying to do. So, leave it to those guys, but obviously, if I need to get involved, I have said it before, I will.
Prescott told DLLS Cowboys reporter Clarence Hill Jr., before adding:
But confident in Jerry and everybody who makes those decisions to know how much he means to us.
It is worth remembering that the Cowboys’ signal-caller always conducts himself with respect toward the organization and its decision-making process.
Keeping two elite receivers, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, would be extremely expensive for the franchise. Pickens is expected to seek a deal of around $30 million per season.
According to projections such as those from Spotrac, he could sign a four-year, $122 million contract. Dallas could also use the franchise tag for one year at $28 million.
Lamb already earns $38 million annually, leaving Jones with very limited flexibility. The defense was a total failure, and focusing only on offense could lead to the same result.
Even so, for Prescott, having two elite receivers is non-negotiable.
He’s a blessing for us and that’s the main reason we gotta keep him. He does more than just open it up for CeeDee, he’s a game-changer himself and we’ve got to use that.
Time is running out for Jerry Jones to secure Pickens ahead of the 2026 season.