Dak Prescott on George Pickens’ Future in Dallas: “It Must Be Done”
George Pickens just wrapped up a breakout season that turned heads across the league - and inside his own locker room. After earning his first Pro Bowl nod with 1,429 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns on 93 catches, the Dallas Cowboys wide receiver is poised to be one of the biggest storylines of the offseason. And with free agency looming, his quarterback is making it crystal clear where he stands.
“I think it’s vital. I think it must be done,” Dak Prescott said when asked about re-signing Pickens.
“From Jerry [Jones] to everybody down, they understand the impact he has on this offense and this team. He’s a great player, and we’ve got to find a way to keep him here.”
Prescott’s not just offering lip service. He knows exactly what Pickens brings to the table - because he’s been the one throwing him the ball.
The chemistry between the two was evident all season long, with Pickens emerging as a true downfield threat and a nightmare for opposing secondaries. His presence didn’t just boost his own numbers - it changed the entire dynamic of the Cowboys’ passing attack.
And it wasn’t just Prescott who felt the impact. CeeDee Lamb benefited in a big way, often drawing more favorable matchups thanks to the attention Pickens commanded.
That one-two punch gave Dallas one of the most dangerous receiving tandems in the league - a fact not lost on opposing coaches. Some of the candidates interviewing for the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator job reportedly mentioned how difficult it was to game-plan for both Pickens and Lamb on the field at the same time.
So where do things stand now?
As of now, there haven’t been any substantial contract talks, and free agency is less than two months away. The Cowboys could use the franchise tag - which would cost them $28 million for the 2026 season - to keep Pickens in the building.
That’s the most straightforward route, and one that’s reportedly being considered. But it’s not the long-term solution anyone in Dallas seems to want.
The reality is this: Pickens has played his way into a contract that could easily top $30 million per year. And based on what he did in 2025, he’s earned every bit of it. The question is whether the Cowboys are ready to make that kind of commitment - and whether they’ll do it before other teams get a chance to make their pitch.
The front office has already expressed interest in bringing him back, and now Prescott has added his voice to the chorus. That kind of endorsement from your franchise quarterback carries weight - especially when it’s about a player who’s been instrumental in elevating the offense.
Pickens isn’t just a highlight-reel receiver. He’s a field-stretcher, a red zone weapon, and a matchup problem that opens up opportunities for everyone around him. And in today’s NFL, that kind of player doesn’t come cheap - or often.
If the Cowboys are serious about contending, keeping Pickens in Dallas should be a priority. Prescott knows it.
The locker room knows it. And after the season he just had, the rest of the league knows it too.