American Football

Cowboys admit not paying Pickens creates 'bigger challenge' next year

DAZN

2, Sep

Cowboys admit not paying Pickens creates 'bigger challenge' next year

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The Dallas Cowboys have made their position on George Pickens clear, reiterating that an extension will not be on the table until 2027.

During an appearance on the DLLS Cowboys podcast, Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones admitted the decision could create "a bigger challenge next year."

Were Dallas correct to defer the cap gymnastics until 2027, or will the decision come back to bite them? DAZN News investigates.

George Pickens Cowboys Stacy Revere / Staff

Cowboys defer the cap gymnastics until 2027

Dallas restructured CeeDee Lamb's deal in March, turning a significant portion of his base salary into a signing bonus to create cap room in 2026.

As for Pickens, after watching him finish third among all wideouts with a career-best 1,429 receiving yards, the Cowboys seemingly want more consistency before committing long-term.

To buy themselves time, they placed the Second-Team All-Pro on the franchise tag in April, leaving the future of one of their best players unresolved for now.

Pickens' tag figure of $27.3 million currently ranks 18th among wide receivers. Lamb, still with three years left on his own deal, sits sixth at $34 million per year.

Jones weighs cap reality over gamble

While the reinforced roster looks capable of reaching the playoffs, Jones believes the Pickens decision was simply a reflection of having to manage the cap.

"I don't know of any teams that really can pay two top receivers top of the market, so that's gonna be a real difficult situation as we move forward," Jones said.

He stressed that while there is a plan in place, it could become more difficult if both players excel in 2026.

"We've managed to figure out how we can do it for this year. If everything works out the way we think it is, [in] which CeeDee and George both have huge years again, then it'll be a bigger challenge next year."

Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones Ronald Martinez / Staff

What Jones said next offered some insight into how he believes the move could motivate Pickens.

"George is really wanting to put back-to-back years on top of one another so it'll help his market," he said.

"And certainly, I know at some point, as does every player in this league, will want to be rewarded with a long-term contract. So that certainly puts pressure on us to have a unique situation there at wide receiver."

Analysis: time will decide if Dallas got it right

Jason Abbey, DAZN NFL writer

For now, deferring this decision makes sense on paper, but it does not make the maths any kinder in 2027.

Pushing the Pickens conversation back a year buys Dallas time, but it may simply mean trading a short-term problem for a bigger one down the line.

If it motivates Pickens, however, and the Cowboys find the cap room to get a new deal done next year, this becomes a smart play.

Underpinning all of this, however, is the reliance on the new defense to live up to its billing. If that does not happen, Dallas may need to commit money elsewhere.

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