The Dallas Cowboys have a decision to make this offseason-and it’s a big one.
After landing George Pickens in a trade last year, Dallas watched him blossom into a full-on nightmare for opposing defenses. He racked up 1,429 yards and 9 touchdowns on 93 catches, earning his first Pro Bowl nod and, more importantly, establishing himself as a cornerstone of the offense.
Now? He’s set to hit free agency, and the Cowboys have to figure out how to keep him in the building.
Whether it’s the franchise tag or a long-term deal, the bottom line is this: George Pickens needs to be on the Cowboys’ roster in 2026. That’s not just the media talking. Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb have both gone on record pushing for Pickens to return-and when your franchise quarterback and WR1 are speaking up like that, the front office better be listening.
This isn’t unfamiliar territory for Dallas. Just last offseason, the team found itself in a drawn-out contract saga with Micah Parsons.
That situation eventually resolved, but not without some turbulence. Now, with Pickens, the Cowboys have a chance to get ahead of things-and if you ask Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith, that’s exactly what they should do.
Speaking on the Up & Adams Show, Smith didn’t mince words.
“If I were the GM, I’d make that decision right now-or at least before the draft,” Smith said. “That way, I know how to proceed in the draft.
And beyond that, I’d solidify my offensive scheme with Lamb, Pickens, and our tight end. The way we ran the ball with Javonte [Williams], that’s your foundation.”
Smith’s point is a strong one. Dallas has quietly built one of the more complete offensive units in the league. Brian Schottenheimer’s offense clicked into high gear last season, thanks to a well-balanced attack that featured explosive playmakers at every level.
Start with the passing game: Dak Prescott was playing some of the best football of his career, throwing with confidence and precision. CeeDee Lamb continued his ascent as a top-tier wideout. Add in Pickens-who brought a physical, vertical element to the offense-and suddenly defenses were stretched thin trying to cover both.
Then there’s the ground game. Javonte Williams gave Dallas a legitimate top-10 rushing attack, bringing power and vision to the backfield. And let’s not forget tight end Jake Ferguson, who quietly posted 800 yards and 6 touchdowns-numbers that speak to his growing role in the offense.
All of that worked because of balance. Take Pickens out of the equation, and things start to tilt.
Without him, defenses can roll coverage toward Lamb, stack the box against Williams, and dare someone like Ryan Flournoy to beat them. And while there’s optimism around “Flo,” asking him to step into Pickens’ shoes is a tall order.
This is why the Cowboys can’t afford to let this situation drag out. The offense is right there-on the cusp of being one of the league’s best.
The pieces are in place. But Pickens is a critical part of that puzzle.
Letting him walk would be a step backward when everything else is pointing forward.
Emmitt Smith sees it. Dak and CeeDee see it. Now it’s on the front office to act accordingly.
The clock’s ticking.