Where will George Pickens play next season? The Dallas Cowboys are desperate to keep their star receiver, but a contract dispute has complicated matters.
Former NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho believes the Cowboys should cut ties with Pickens ahead of the potential drama that could happen during training camp. He believes the Cowboys need a clean, distraction-free offseason, and that’s not gonna happen if Pickens stays.
Emmanuel Acho Warns George Pickens’ Contract Fight Could Derail Cowboys’ Offseason
Speaking on the “Speakeasy” show, Acho made his case plainly: “For the Cowboys’ sake, George Pickens needs to move on from Dallas.” His reasoning? The Cowboys desperately need a clean, drama-free offseason, which they haven’t had in years.
Acho rattled off the list. Micah Parsons the year before last, CeeDee Lamb the year prior, then Dak Prescott, then Ezekiel Elliott. Every single offseason, a contract saga has dominated the headlines.
“Can the Cowboys just have one offseason where everybody is all in?” Acho asked. “[Where] There are no contractual distractions, there’s no contractual tension, there’s no locker room distractions, and can they just focus on the ball?”
For Acho, the timing makes it even more urgent. The Cowboys just wrapped up what could be one of their best rookie classes in years. Acho points out that another contract circus can bury that momentum.
“I do not want this draft class in this offseason to be hindered nor to be hampered by all of the chaos that is going to happen with this George Pickens contract,” he said.
And the chaos is already here. The Cowboys placed the nonexclusive $27.298 million franchise tag on Pickens in March, and Stephen Jones recently confirmed there will be no long-term contract talks.
Adam Schefter reported that Pickens wants a long-term deal or a trade, putting both sides in an unsettled position. Acho also argued the move makes sense from Pickens’ perspective, too.
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The 25-year-old just put together the best season of his career. He hauled in 93 receptions for 1,429 yards and 9 touchdowns in 2025, earning a Pro Bowl nod and second-team All-Pro honors. According to PFSN’s WR Impact Metric, Pickens had an impact score of 88.4, ranking third in the league.
“You balled, 1,400 yards last year, you want to go get paid,” Acho added. “You do not want to have to beg for your bread, and you sure as hell do not want to have to be franchise tagged.”
The financial risk is real. The receiver market has surged to around $42 million per year, while the franchise tag pays Pickens just $27.3 million, well below what comparable players are earning.
Acho pointed out the worst-case scenario bluntly. Playing on the tag means if Pickens gets hurt, he could lose out on $150 million in long-term security for the sake of $28 million. That’s not a trade-off worth making.
Pickens and Micah Parsons share the same agent, David Mulugheta, whose contentious negotiations with Jerry Jones last year ended with Parsons being shipped to the Green Bay Packers. That history doesn’t inspire optimism for a smooth resolution this time around.
For now, Pickens has signed the franchise tag and is expected to play the 2026 season in Dallas. The Cowboys insist they have no plans to trade him, but Acho believes both parties are better off if they part ways.
