As lately as within the middle of January, a report steered that the Dallas Cowboys would use the franchise tag to retain the rights to huge receiver George Pickens as a substitute of permitting Pickens to succeed in free company when the brand new league 12 months opens in March.
It feels like Pickens and the Cowboys aren’t all that near coming to phrases on a contract extension this winter.
The place are Cowboys, George Pickens in contract talks?
On Monday, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning Information reported that “two folks briefed on the state of affairs” had been capable of affirm that “the Cowboys haven’t held any contract talks with Pickens’ agent” this offseason. Pickens is represented by Trevon Smith, who works in the identical agency as Athletes First’s president of staff sports activities, David Mulugheta.
Micah Parsons had Mulugheta as an agent final summer season when Cowboys proprietor and normal supervisor Jerry Jones did not lock the star pass-rusher down by way of a brand new deal earlier than the Cowboys traded Parsons to the Green Bay Packers in late August.
“Mulugheta has a detailed relationship with Pickens,” Watkins shared, “so it wouldn’t be uncommon for him to talk with the Cowboys a few new deal.”
Dallas may place the franchise tag projected to be value round $28.8M on Pickens as early as Feb. 17. He beforehand hinted he may take into account not signing the tag amid his need for a long-term deal.
What kind of deal could George Pickens need from Cowboys?
The Cowboys acquired Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers final spring, and he confirmed throughout parts of the season that he might be a real No. 1 goal for an marketed contender. In accordance with ESPN stats, he ended the common season ranked third within the NFL with 1,429 receiving yards, eighth with 93 receptions and tied for eighth with 9 landing catches.
He was additionally benched
for the first offensive collection of 1 sport after he allegedly missed the staff bus. A later report stated that Pickens had been fined for being late on multiple event through the season earlier than he was accused of working lazy routes through the Cowboys’ Week 14 loss to the Detroit Lions in early December.
“It isn’t recognized how a lot Pickens is on the lookout for following the season he produced,” Watkins wrote. “After he was traded from Pittsburgh to Dallas final offseason, folks near Pickens had been longing for a contract value at the least $30M per season. However after the season he produced, that common wage determine most probably will rise.”
Watkins added that “it’s uncertain Pickens can be in favor of reporting to coaching camp in late July, and even some components of the offseason program” with out a multiyear extension. Thus, it feels like Pickens’ camp is prepared for what may grow to be an unsightly standoff if he does not obtain a proposal to his liking this winter.
