When Dak Prescott offered advice to teammate George Pickens about navigating contract negotiations, he likely intended it as encouragement.
However, the comments quickly sparked backlash among NFL fans online, many of whom pointed out the irony of the Dallas Cowboys quarterback, who happens to be one of the league’s highest-paid players, weighing in on a teammate’s contract situation.
The controversy began after Pickens was placed under the franchise tag by the Cowboys, setting up a potential long-term contract negotiation ahead of the 2026 season.
With experience handling his own complicated negotiations in the past, Prescott spoke publicly about how the star wide receiver should approach the situation.
During a recent appearance, the quarterback encouraged Pickens to stay focused on football and not allow the business side of the NFL to change his mindset.
“George loves football,” Prescott said when discussing his teammate’s situation. He added that the receiver should avoid letting negotiations overshadow his passion for the game and suggested he should “bet on yourself” if necessary.
The veteran quarterback also referenced his own experience with the franchise tag earlier in his career, explaining that sometimes the best path forward is simply continuing to play at a high level and letting the results speak for themselves.
While the advice seemed supportive on the surface, the reaction online was far from universally positive.
Fans question Prescott’s comments amid massive contract
Many NFL fans were quick to point out that Prescott is currently playing on a contract that pays him roughly $60 million per year, making him one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in league history.
That financial reality became the focal point of criticism across social media. Some fans argued that someone with such a lucrative deal might not be the best person to advise teammates about contract negotiations.
Several posts circulating online mocked the situation, with one user writing that the quarterback “took the most expensive contract in NFL history and wants to pocket watch his teammates.”
Others pointed out the salary figure directly, noting that Prescott earns about $60 million annually.
The backlash reflects the complicated dynamics that often arise when star players comment publicly on teammates’ contracts.
While Prescott was clearly trying to provide guidance based on his own experience, the optics of a superstar earning one of the largest salaries in football discussing another player’s deal created an easy talking point for critics.
Meanwhile, Pickens remains one of the most intriguing offensive weapons on the Cowboys roster.
After arriving in Dallas in a trade from the Pittsburgh Steelers, he delivered a breakout campaign that included 93 catches, 1,429 receiving yards and nine touchdowns while earning Pro Bowl honors.
Those numbers have positioned the talented receiver for a potentially massive long-term contract, either with the Cowboys or elsewhere in the future.
For Prescott, the advice likely came from personal experience. His own negotiations with the Cowboys stretched for years and at times became contentious before ultimately ending with one of the richest deals in NFL history.
Whether fans agree with his comments or not, the quarterback’s message to Pickens was simple: keep playing, trust your talent, and let your performance determine your value.
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