The Dallas Cowboys made a major decision regarding one of their top offensive weapons this offseason, ensuring the receiver will remain with the Cowboys for at least another year. As another contract situation continues to develop, quarterback Dak Prescott recently addressed the moment publicly and shared a message directed toward wideout George Pickens as negotiations move forward.
Dak Prescott Urges George Pickens to Stay Focused Amid Cowboys Tag Drama
The Cowboys placed the franchise tag on Pickens, guaranteeing the star wide receiver remains with the Cowboys for the 2026 season unless the two sides reach a long-term agreement before the July 15 deadline.
Prescott spoke about the situation while appearing as co-chair at the annual Children’s Cancer Fund event in the Cowboys, offering encouragement and perspective to Pickens as he navigates the contract process.
“George loves football,” Prescott said. “That’s the one thing about it. I just want him to know, don’t change your love for football. Don’t get in the business mind of this. You played last year on a one-year [deal] for not even that much, right? So if you can go $30 [million] or whatever it is now, I think it’s the same thing I got when I was franchised, hey, go do it.”
Prescott continued by emphasizing confidence in Pickens and expressing hope that the Cowboys can ultimately reach a long-term agreement.
“At the end of the day, bet on yourself,” Prescott added. “He’s a hell of a player. Hopefully we can get him long-term and sign that but, if not, I think the way he plays the game, the person that he is, he’ll be just fine.”
Pickens’ franchise tag follows a remarkable first season in the Cowboys after arriving from the Pittsburgh Steelers. The receiver delivered the best production of his career, finishing with 93 receptions for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns.
His performance actually surpassed that of fellow Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb in several statistical categories, establishing Pickens as one of the most productive wideouts in the league. PFSN’s analytics backed up the eye test. Pickens ranked No. 3 in the PFSN WR Impact Metric with an 88.4 grade, trailing only Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Puka Nacua.
Despite that production, the Cowboys may prefer to take more time before committing to a long-term contract. Pickens arrived in Dallas amid questions about his personality and his departure from Pittsburgh.
While his performance on the field was undeniable, the organization may want additional evidence that the growth he showed in 2025 will continue before committing significant funds.
That situation makes Prescott’s advice particularly relevant. Prescott experienced franchise-tag negotiations during previous contract talks with the Cowboys. He bet on himself, multiple times, and now makes $60 million per year.
That’s the issue with the Cowboys. Several big names want to be paid top-of-market money. Prescott already is, and now the Cowboys have until mid-July to decide whether Pickens’ future extends beyond the franchise tag season.
