George Pickens has become one of the most talked-about players in the NFL this season, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed by the Dallas Cowboys.
As speculation mounts over a potential record-breaking deal, team owner Jerry Jones has made a pointed statement about how crucial Pickens has become to the franchise.
“Any and everything about George Pickens has crossed our minds. … Certainly he’s a topic of interest and discussions because of the success he’s having,” Jerry Jones said earlier this week.
It was a rare but telling acknowledgment from the longtime owner that the team is already thinking about its future with the young wide receiver.
The 2025 season has marked a breakout moment for George Pickens. Since joining the Cowboys in a blockbuster trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers, he has emerged as quarterback Dak Prescott‘s most dangerous weapon.
His production has forced front offices and analysts around the league to view him as one of the most valuable offensive players in the game – and that means a major contract decision is coming.
Cowboys already moving on Pickens extension
When the Dallas Cowboys made the deal to acquire George Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers, they were betting on upside. What they got was immediate, elite-level production.
Through seven weeks of the season, Pickens has recorded 36 receptions for 607 yards and six touchdowns. That kind of performance doesn’t just make him a fan favorite – it puts him in position to command top-tier money.
Jerry Jones didn’t downplay how vital George Pickens has already become. “He is doing more than we could’ve expected or that we could have expected … He’s not only doing it on the field. He’s doing it as a part of the team concept,” he said, underlining how his influence goes beyond the stat sheet.
The Dallas Cowboys are already thinking ahead about how to structure their roster around George Pickens.
“We’ll weigh that. We knew full well that if things really went like we want them to go, certainly we need to think about having some room available if we’re going to pay a second receiver at that level,” Jones added.
That’s significant, considering the team already has star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb on the roster and a franchise quarterback in Dak Prescott, whose contract carries a large cap hit. Adding George Pickens to that equation long term means the team will have to carefully balance its salary structure.
For his part, George Pickens has been open about his feelings on staying in Dallas. “I wouldn’t mind it. The guys in the locker room are super cool, the energy’s great. But like I said, I always want to showcase my talents,” he said after the team’s latest win.
An integral role under Schottenheimer
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer has also leaned on George Pickens more heavily in recent weeks, scheming ways to exploit matchups and get him into open space.
The trust between Dak Prescott and George Pickens has grown quickly, with the wideout consistently making plays in critical moments.
The Dallas Cowboys traded future draft assets to get George Pickens, a clear sign that they see him as a core piece of their offensive identity. Now, the franchise must decide how soon it wants to lock him up for the long haul. A midseason extension isn’t off the table, and striking early could prevent a bidding war in free agency.
Negotiations won’t be easy. George Pickens is on track to become one of the highest-paid receivers in the NFL if he maintains his current pace. But for Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys, making that investment may be the cost of remaining a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
As the 2025 season progresses, the spotlight will only grow brighter on George Pickens and his future in Dallas. For now, Jerry Jones‘ comments make one thing clear: the Dallas Cowboys aren’t just impressed – they’re preparing to commit.
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