George Pickens has faced a tough spotlight recently, and not just from the media.
After a disappointing performance against the Detroit Lions, FOX analyst Mark Schlereth made it clear he believes the Dallas Cowboys should not offer the young wide receiver a contract extension.
Pickens, 24, is coming off a rookie deal signed in 2022 worth approximately $6.7 million. That contract expires next year, making him an unrestricted free agent.
Despite his struggles, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has signaled confidence in Pickens‘ future with the team.
“I don’t have any concern about the debate about what George Pickens did or didn’t do in that game,” Jones said on 105.3 The Fan.
“He brings everything to the table to frankly live with what’s going on (with) this type of criticism.”
Schlereth, however, disagrees strongly. On The 105.3 The Fan podcast, he warned Dallas not to overvalue Pickens.
“I wish I could buy him for what he’s worth and sell him for what he thinks he’s worth. There is no way I would invest a dime into that guy going on beyond this season,” he said.
Pickens‘ performance against Detroit was far from his best. He caught five of nine targets for just 37 yards and also lost a fumble in the Cowboys‘ 44-30 loss.
The outing marked his lowest yardage total of the season and left fans and analysts questioning whether he is ready for a major contract.
Head coach backs Pickens
Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer defended Pickens, emphasizing his commitment and love for the game.
“We talked a little bit about it,” Schottenheimer said.
“And again, he’s just, in his words, he goes, ‘Hey Shotty, I didn’t play my best game.’ I think that, unfortunately, none of us played our best game. So that’s real. But I don’t worry about George and his love for football and playing this game.”
For now, Dallas remains firm in its support, highlighting Pickens‘ potential and professionalism.
Whether that translates into a lucrative contract remains uncertain, but the debate over his value is likely to continue well into the offseason.
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