Cowboys COO Challenges Pickens Amid Contract Talks

Stephen Jones reminds Pickens that Dak Prescott played under franchise tag in Dallas.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 1:52pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a football player in mid-motion, their body broken down into overlapping geometric shapes in navy, green, and orange hues, conveying the conceptual tension of contract negotiations.The Cowboys' contract negotiations with star receiver George Pickens reflect the complex financial realities of the NFL salary cap.Dallas Today

Dallas Cowboys COO Stephen Jones acknowledged George Pickens' frustration over playing under the franchise tag, but subtly challenged the wide receiver to bet on himself, reminding him that even star quarterback Dak Prescott played under the tag in the past.

Why it matters

The Cowboys and Pickens have until July 15 to agree on a new long-term deal, otherwise the young wide receiver will have to play on the roughly $28 million franchise tag. Pickens is coming off a breakout season and wants the financial security of a multi-year contract, but the Cowboys' salary cap situation makes that difficult.

The details

Speaking at the NFL's annual meetings, Jones said he understands Pickens' desire for a long-term deal, but noted that the franchise tag is "part of the salary cap and part of putting the team together." Jones pointed to Prescott playing under the tag in the past as an example of a star player accepting it, essentially challenging Pickens to do the same.

  • The Cowboys and Pickens have until July 15 to agree on a new contract before he would have to play on the franchise tag.

The players

Stephen Jones

The Dallas Cowboys' chief operating officer and executive vice president.

George Pickens

The Dallas Cowboys' wide receiver who is seeking a long-term contract extension.

Dak Prescott

The Dallas Cowboys' star quarterback who previously played under the franchise tag.

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What they’re saying

“We've had a lot of players here in Dallas, including our quarterback, the most valuable guy to the franchise, has played under a tag. We certainly understand it and respect it, but we also know it's part of the salary cap and part of putting the team together.”

— Stephen Jones, Cowboys COO

What’s next

The Cowboys and Pickens have until July 15 to agree on a new long-term contract before Pickens would have to play on the franchise tag for the 2026 season.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the delicate balance between a player's desire for financial security and a team's need to manage its salary cap. While the Cowboys understand Pickens' frustration, they are reminding him that playing under the franchise tag is a common part of the NFL landscape, even for star players like Dak Prescott.