Dak Prescott Makes His Pitch: George Pickens Needs to Stay in Dallas
Dak Prescott isn’t usually one to make public contract pushes, but when he does, it’s because he sees something special - and right now, that something is George Pickens. The Cowboys quarterback made it clear: Pickens isn’t just a nice addition to the offense. He’s essential.
“We know we got to get that (defensive) side of the ball right,” Prescott said. “But we got to make sure that we aren’t complacent with what we’ve done on our side of the ball.”
That’s not just a quarterback talking shop - that’s a leader calling his shot. Prescott didn’t leave much room for interpretation. When asked who he was referring to, he pointed right to the field.
“The guy out here,” he said. “The guy out here who doesn’t have a contract. It doesn’t matter, whichever way that they got to do it, he’s an important piece of this offense, an important piece of what we’re trying to do.”
Pickens, who came to Dallas with plenty of potential, didn’t just complement CeeDee Lamb - he carved out his own identity in the offense. What started as a move to give Lamb some help turned into a breakout moment for Pickens, especially when Lamb went down. That’s when Pickens stepped into the spotlight and showed he’s more than just a WR2.
“You really couldn’t imagine that he’d have that type of season,” Prescott admitted. “It’s credit to him.
It’s credit to Jerry. It’s credit to the front office going and making that deal.”
Prescott didn’t mince words: Pickens has earned his place as a true No. 1 option - not just in name, but in production and presence.
“You have a whole offseason, you’re planning for how to attack, and then [Lamb gets injured], then this guy really just steps up and comes into his own and shows us how great of a player he can be,” Prescott said. “It was a blessing for us. It’s the main reason we gotta keep him.”
The quarterback emphasized that Pickens doesn’t just make life easier for Lamb - he’s a game-changer in his own right. And in today’s NFL, having two true No. 1 receivers is more than a luxury - it’s a necessity for any team with championship aspirations.
Prescott said he trusts Jerry Jones and the front office to get it done, but made it clear he’s ready to step in if needed: “Obviously if I need to get involved, I’ve said it before, I will.”
Fangio Leaning Toward Return in Philly
Over in Philadelphia, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is expected to return for another season, despite giving serious thought to retirement. According to reports, this offseason has mirrored last year’s - Fangio weighing whether to walk away - but the current signs point to him staying on for 2026.
That’s a big deal for the Eagles. Fangio’s system remains one of the most respected in the league, and his presence offers continuity for a defense that’s been in flux over the past few years. As of now, it looks like Philly will have their veteran defensive mind back in the fold.
Brian Burns Finds His Groove in New York
Brian Burns is looking more and more like the player the Giants hoped they were getting when they brought him in from Carolina. After a strong season, the edge rusher talked about how buying into the system helped unlock his game.
“I’ve been trying to maintain and stay consistent with my process [this season] and the results showed,” Burns said. “Being able to play within the scheme and still get the results that I wanted, that I needed, just showed the preparation that I put in throughout the week.”
Burns emphasized that trusting the system - instead of freelancing - was key to his success. “Just being able to allow the calls to work for me instead of trying to step outside the box, outside the schemes to make a play, I just let the calls work for me and it happened.”
That’s the kind of maturity and discipline that can turn a talented pass rusher into a cornerstone of a defense.
Weis Jr. Stays with Kiffin, Giants Pivot
The Giants had eyes on LSU offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. for a spot on their staff, largely due to his past work with quarterback Jaxson Dart at Ole Miss. But Weis opted to stay with Lane Kiffin and follow him to LSU, leaving New York to consider other options for their offensive staff.
The connection made sense - familiarity with Dart and a proven offensive mind - but the Giants will now have to look elsewhere as they continue to reshape their offense heading into 2026.