Jerry Jones’ gamble on George Pickens could blow up as $35-40 million contract talks loom

Jerry Jones’ gamble on George Pickens could blow up as $35-40 million contract talks loom originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Many Dallas Cowboys fans are growing uneasy about the possibility of losing George Pickens, even after he received the franchise tag from Jerry Jones’ team. That concern isn’t unsurprising, as nothing feels truly secure with a player until he’s actually on the field in Week 1 of the NFL season.

Brian Martin of the Blogging The Boys’ Brian Martin thinks the Cowboys could consider a more cost-conscious approach rather than rushing into a long-term extension for Pickens.

“If the Cowboys are still wary about signing Pickens to a long-term contract in the ballpark of $35-40 million a year, using the franchise tag on him in back-to-back seasons is a logical option, and maybe a cheaper one,” Martin wrote.

Martin said that Pickens franchise tag in 2027 is expected to rise to around $31.5 million, according to projections from overthecap.com. That is higher than the $27.3 million the wide receiver will earn under the tag this season, but it could still be less than what a long-term deal would guarantee annually. The Cowboys hold leverage unless Pickens opts to refuse the tag and sit out the upcoming season.