Cowboys Tag Pickens, Drama Already Brewing!

Cowboys Tag Pickens, Drama Already Brewing!

The Dallas Cowboys didn’t wait long to make a big move this offseason, slapping the franchise tag on wide receiver George Pickens. Pickens was the team’s leading receiver last season in both yards and touchdowns. However, he’s looking for a long-term deal with more money, not just a one-year tag. This move has sparked debate: will it backfire on the Cowboys?

Will Pickens Sit Out?

Brian Shottenheimer, asked about Pickens potentially missing offseason time, suggested a positive outlook. “He’s trained with Dak. Hey, look, GP loves it here. We love GP. Uh we have plans for GP to be here for a long time,” he said. “So, we’ll let the business side of this thing play out and see where it goes.” But the question remains: is this just business, or is it heading towards more offseason drama for Dallas?

Offseason Drama: A Cowboys Staple?

Ryan Clark joined the discussion, noting that offseason drama seems to constantly follow the Cowboys. “Inevitable. It’s like it’s like Thanos when we’re talking about offseason drama with the Dallas Cowboys,” Clark stated. “And we knew that this was happening, right? The the Cowboys are like the most one step forward, two step back team in all of football.” He acknowledged the team has made some good moves, like hiring Christian Parker as defensive coordinator and acquiring Trevon Diggs and Jalen Smith. However, Clark pointed out that the situation with Pickens was predictable, especially after the Cowboys’ handling of receiver CeeDee Lamb’s contract talks last year.

Pickens’ Production and Market Value

George Pickens had a standout year, leading the Cowboys in targets, receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns. The franchise tag is worth $27.3 million, a significant amount, but Pickens and his agent believe he’s worth more based on his performance and the current wide receiver market. The conversation gets tricky when comparing him to teammates like CeeDee Lamb, who signed a deal worth over $36 million. “The market has changed,” explained one analyst. “You don’t get to go negotiate… and say, ‘Well, when CD Lamb signed this deal two years ago, he’s worth more than I’m worth.'” Pickens proved he could be a number one receiver, not just a complementary piece.

“George Pickens is going to negotiate on $42 million a year that Jackson Smith and Jigba got. This isn’t a conversation about who CD Lamb is. This is a conversation about who George Pickkins is right now as it stands in the wide receiver market.”

Teammates and Contract Comparisons

Stephen A. Smith highlighted a key twist: both Pickens and Lamb are Cowboys. “The problem with this one is you talking about two teammates. You’re talking about two Cowboys.” This adds a layer of complexity compared to situations where players compare themselves to stars on other teams, like Justin Jefferson. The negotiations will likely focus on Pickens’ desire for a deal that reflects his value, potentially exceeding what Lamb received. “He’s not going to take that deal. That puts him on really what would be the third tier of wide receiver per year averages,” it was argued. “George Pickers is going to want to be one of the highest paid wide receivers in the league.”

Guaranteed Money and Player Leverage

The discussion turned to the importance of guaranteed money. If the Cowboys aren’t offering the long-term security and significant guaranteed dollars Pickens seeks, he may hold out. “When they talking to you about eight figures, you ain’t showing,” one speaker declared. “You want to make sure that you… got a certain number number of dollars guaranteed to you for years to come. George Pickkins is not jeopardizing that.” This puts the Cowboys in a tough spot, potentially creating friction within the team despite their other offseason moves.

Past Mistakes and Locker Room Dynamics

The Cowboys are facing criticism for potentially repeating past mistakes, particularly with how they handled contract negotiations with Micah Parsons last year. “You can’t have the same situation if you’re the Dallas Cowboys ownership that you had last year with Michael Parsons. You can’t have that sort of dissension. You can’t have that sort of tension,” warned Clark. “And you’re dealing with the exact same people. And many people saw that that negotiation wasn’t handled professionally by the Dallas Cowboys and the Jones family. You can’t go back down that road.” The relationship between Pickens, Dak Prescott, and CeeDee Lamb is reportedly very strong, meaning other players will likely voice their desire for Pickens to stay.

Parsons vs. Pickens: Who’s More Valued?

A striking point was made comparing the current Pickens situation to Parsons’ contract dispute. “almost feels like there’s more people… in the Dallas Cowboys locker room clamoring for George Pickkins to remain a Cowboy more so than they were even clamoring for Micah Parsons to remain a Dallas Cowboy.” This suggests Pickens might have even more internal support. However, Parsons was known for his willingness to work with the team, showing up even when not fully practicing. The concern is that if Pickens doesn’t feel he’s being negotiated with fairly, his approach might differ significantly from Parsons’, leading to a prolonged holdout.

The Drama is Just Beginning

As the offseason unfolds, the contract dispute between George Pickens and the Dallas Cowboys is shaping up to be a major storyline. With the team aiming for a Super Bowl run, resolving this situation amicably and efficiently will be crucial. Past negotiations and player relationships are adding fuel to the fire, making this a situation many will be watching closely.

Source: Is OFFSEASON DRAMA what the Dallas Cowboys want…AGAIN?! 😳 | First Take (YouTube)