Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones Urges Player to Fire Agent

Jones continues pattern of undermining player-agent relationships, despite league rules against it.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 7:39pm

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Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has publicly called for wide receiver George Pickens to fire his agent, David Mulugheta of Athletes First. This is not the first time Jones has tried to negotiate directly with players, bypassing their representation, which the NFL Players Association says is illegal under the Collective Bargaining Agreement. However, the league has done little to curb Jones' behavior, as the fines for such actions remain minimal.

Why it matters

Jones' actions highlight the ongoing tension between team owners and player agents, as owners seek to cut costs by negotiating directly. This practice undermines the role of agents and the protections they provide for players in contract negotiations. If left unchecked, it could set a dangerous precedent and erode trust between players and their representatives.

The details

In his latest attempt, Jones publicly stated that if Pickens 'worked without an agent, he'd save a lot of money... with me.' This comes after Jones claimed he had cut a deal with linebacker Micah Parsons last year before his agent, Mulugheta, got involved. The NFL Players Association has condemned Jones' behavior as illegal, but the league has done little to stop it, as the current fines are seen as minimal by the Cowboys owner.

  • On Tuesday, April 1, 2026, Jones made his comments about Pickens and his agent.
  • In early 2025, Jones claimed he had negotiated a deal with Micah Parsons before his agent got involved.

The players

Jerry Jones

The owner of the Dallas Cowboys NFL team, known for his hands-on approach to player negotiations.

George Pickens

A wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys, currently represented by agent David Mulugheta.

David Mulugheta

An agent at Athletes First, who represents several NFL players including George Pickens and Micah Parsons.

Micah Parsons

A linebacker who was previously represented by David Mulugheta and the Cowboys before being traded to the Green Bay Packers.

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What they’re saying

“If he worked without an agent, he'd save a lot of money... with me.”

— Jerry Jones, Owner, Dallas Cowboys

What’s next

The NFL Players Association is expected to continue to monitor Jones' actions and push the league to enforce the rules against owners undermining player-agent relationships. However, without stronger penalties, it remains to be seen if Jones will change his approach.

The takeaway

Jerry Jones' persistent attempts to negotiate directly with players, bypassing their agents, highlights the ongoing power struggle between team owners and player representation. This practice not only undermines the role of agents but also erodes trust between players and their representatives, potentially setting a dangerous precedent if left unchecked by the league.