George Pickens didn’t waste time soaking in Jerry Jones’ public praise.
After Jones said Tuesday, “Make no mistake about it, George (Pickens) could be a Cowboy for the rest of his career, and that’d be a long time,” Pickens answered back Thursday at Oxnard with a grin and plenty of appreciation.
“Super excited. I’m always super happy when someone thinks highly of me, so shout out to Jerry,” Pickens shared.
That exchange came after Pickens already turned heads on day one of NFL training camp, when the Cowboys saw him put on a show and even prompted head coach Brian Schottenheimer to issue a “bad news” warning for teams trying to game plan for him.
The timing matters, too. Pickens agreed to the Cowboys’ franchise tag on July 15, putting him on a one-year deal worth $27.3 million. Dallas and Jones are paying for what they hope is another big season from a receiver who already delivered career highs of 93 catches, 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns.
Now the spotlight shifts to what comes next.
Pickens is entering what could be the most important season of his career, because the numbers he posts now will shape everything about his future. If he matches or tops those personal bests, his market will only rise, and Dallas would be staring at an even bigger price tag. If his production slips, his value could take a hit and make the Cowboys’ job of keeping him much tougher.
For now, though, Pickens is taking the praise in stride and looking every bit like a player who feels wanted in Dallas.
In Other News...
Cowboys Camp Opened With An Injury Scare And Early Standouts
The Cowboys opened training camp in Oxnard with the kind of first-day energy that usually tells you very little and a little bit at the same time. Everyone was cleared to go when practice began, and the early buzz centered on the usual camp mix of veterans settling in, young players trying to force their way into the conversation, and a handful of standouts making sure their names were hard to miss.
Jaydon Blue flashed burst, George Pickens drew attention for how locked in he looked, and Dak Prescott found a familiar rhythm with CeeDee Lamb as the offense got its first work in front of the new camp backdrop. There was also a defensive play that turned heads and a strong grab by Brevyn Spann-Ford, but the bigger question out of day one is how the Cowboys manage the early bumps while sorting out which of these opening impressions are real and which are just the first-day version of summer hope. [Read more 🡒]
Jerry Jones Looks Even Smarter After Quinnen Williams Said This
Quinnen Williams arrived in Dallas with the kind of reputation the Cowboys have been chasing for years, a defensive force who can change the feel of a front seven almost immediately. After coming over from the Jets, he has already talked like someone who understands why he was brought in, pointing to the chance to help a defense that needed a reset and to give the Cowboys a sturdier foundation on that side of the ball.
Williams also made clear this move is about more than his own next contract or personal rsum. He said he wants to win for Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb as much as for himself, a line that fits neatly with the leadership presence Dallas hoped it was getting when it made the trade. If the defense can start looking more like a unit built to support the roster around it, the deal will look even better for Jerry Jones. [Read more 🡒]
Christian Parker Has One Rivalry Twist Cowboys Fans Wont Love
Christian Parkers arrival as the Cowboys defensive coordinator already stood out because of his age, making him the youngest in franchise history. But a recent podcast appearance added a quirky layer to the story, one that makes his background a little more complicated than the usual coaching bio. Parker talked about growing up in a part of the country where football loyalties can run in different directions, and he also noted that he once had jerseys tied to both sides of the Cowboys-Commanders divide.
The detail that jumps out most is the pair of early jerseys he remembered owning, one a white Deion Sanders Cowboys jersey and the other a white Darrell Green Washington jersey. It is the kind of personal history that does not change Parkers job, but it does give Cowboys fans a fresh reason to look twice at the new voice leading their defense. In a division where old rivalries still matter, even a coachs childhood wardrobe can become part of the conversation. [Read more 🡒]