Dak Prescott Makes It Clear: George Pickens Needs to Stay in Dallas
It wouldn’t be a Dallas Cowboys offseason without some contract drama, and right on cue, here we are. The NFL hasn’t even crowned a Super Bowl champion yet, but in Dallas, the offseason is already heating up-and the spotlight is squarely on George Pickens.
Pickens is set to hit free agency, and while the Cowboys haven’t officially opened negotiations, their quarterback has already made his stance crystal clear. Dak Prescott isn’t just hoping Pickens returns-he’s ready to step in and help make it happen.
After a Pro Bowl practice on Monday, Prescott spoke with reporters and didn’t mince words. He called Pickens a vital part of the Cowboys’ offense, emphasizing that the wideout isn’t just a key contributor-he’s one of the team’s No. 1 receivers, right alongside CeeDee Lamb.
And make no mistake: Prescott isn’t just offering lip service. He said he’s confident in Jerry Jones and the front office, but if it comes down to it, he’s willing to get personally involved in the negotiations to ensure Pickens stays in Dallas.
“George Pickens is an important piece of this offense and an important piece to what we're trying to do,” Prescott said.
That’s QB1 speaking directly to the front office-and it’s not just about keeping a talented receiver. It’s about keeping the offensive momentum rolling in a league where continuity and chemistry can be the difference between a playoff run and a frustrating finish.
Prescott knows what it’s like to be short on weapons. Not too long ago, he was throwing to a patchwork receiving corps that included Allen Hurns, Noah Brown, a post-injury Michael Gallup, and Tavon Austin.
Even as recently as 2024, Jalen Tolbert was the team’s WR2. Those days are gone-for now-and Prescott wants to keep it that way.
Pickens gave the Cowboys everything they could’ve hoped for and more in his first season with the team. He caught 93 passes for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns, earning his first Pro Bowl nod and a second-team All-Pro selection. That kind of production doesn’t just walk out the door without leaving a massive hole behind.
And now, he’s earned a big payday. The question isn’t whether he’ll get paid-it’s who will pay him.
The Cowboys have the advantage of negotiating with him before free agency opens. They could use the franchise tag if it comes to that, but the ideal outcome is a long-term deal that keeps Pickens in a star helmet for years to come.
Prescott knows it. The fans know it.
And deep down, the Cowboys’ front office knows it too. This isn’t a situation that needs to get messy.
Locking up Pickens should be a priority, not a debate.
If the Cowboys want to keep building on what they started last season, keeping George Pickens in the fold is step one. And with Dak Prescott ready to go to bat for his guy, the message from the locker room couldn’t be any clearer: don’t let this one slip away.