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Cowboys Headlines: Bill Clinton crashes presser; will Pickens decision affect draft plans?
TL;DR
The Cowboys announced they won't negotiate a long-term deal with George Pickens, who must decide whether to sign the franchise tag. Bill Clinton's surprise visit at the team's press conference added to the circus atmosphere ahead of the draft.
Key points
- Cowboys won't negotiate a long-term deal with George Pickens
- Pickens has to decide whether to sign the franchise tag
- Bill Clinton made a surprise visit to the Cowboys' press conference
- The Cowboys kept their draft plans secret during the media session
- The NFL draft is approaching with various teams facing their own issues
Mentioned in this story
Bill ClintonSean McVayMike VrabelDianna RussiniMike Tomlin
Dallas CowboysCleveland BrownsPittsburgh Steelers
It's hard to upstage a former U.S. president popping in for a surprise visit, but the Cowboys managed to do just that with the announcement of their decision regarding George Pickens. The team announced Wednesday that they won't negotiate a long-term deal and are content to let the wide receiver play 2026 on the $27 million franchise tag. It's the smart play by Dallas, but now Pickens has a choice to make. Does he sign the tag, show up, and play in a bid to land an even richer contract next season as a free agent? He could sit out for 10 games and forfeit over half that money to make a point... but would that benefit him in the long run? The drama is only just beginning...
The front office didn't reveal any of their draft-weekend plans during their pre-draft press conference, but that doesn't mean it was an uneventful media session. Even at the headquarters of America's Team, it's not every day a POTUS walks through the door. Bill Clinton's pop-in took everyone by surprise (and nearly took Jerry Jones out in a nasty wipeout), but it didn't do much to quell criticism that the Cowboys have turned into a circus, even in a critically important week of draft decisions.
Things have gotten a little silly, though, for several of the other 31 teams, too, as the long wait for draft day comes to its merciful end. The Jets have had to explain why they may still be interested in a player whose personal visit they canceled, we're digging for Easter-egg details on the baseball caps that will be handed out to draftees, and Ravens fans have had their seats at the draft relocated after a personal intervention with the league from Steelers owner Art Rooney II.
Elsewhere in NFL news, Rams coach Sean McVay is sticking by wideout Puka Nacua amid a tough offseason, Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders is ready to jump into the fire again for another QB battle in Cleveland, and Mike Tomlin will reportedly be joining the studio team at NBC. All that, and Patriots coach Mike Vrabel finally answers questions for the first (but probably not the last) time about those photos with NFL insider Dianna Russini.
Q&A
What decision did the Cowboys make regarding George Pickens?
The Cowboys decided not to negotiate a long-term deal with George Pickens and will let him play on the $27 million franchise tag.
How might George Pickens' decision affect his future contract negotiations?
Pickens can either sign the franchise tag and play to boost his market value or sit out, risking over half of his franchise tag money.
What happened during Bill Clinton's visit to the Cowboys' press conference?
Bill Clinton made a surprise visit that caught everyone off guard, nearly causing Jerry Jones to fall during the event.
What are the Cowboys' draft plans following the press conference?
The Cowboys did not reveal any specific draft plans during the press conference, maintaining secrecy ahead of the draft.
