The Dallas Cowboys owner, Jerry Jones, has once again found himself in the middle of a contract-related controversy, and this time, Stephen A. Smith is not letting it slide. The Dallas Cowboys owner was discussing George Pickens’ contract situation when he used a phrase that immediately raised eyebrows around the league.
While Jones was trying to make a point about dealing directly with players instead of agents, his wording sparked criticism because of how it came across publicly.
ESPN Analyst Stephen A. Smith Rips Dallas Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones Over George Pickens’s Remarks
Smith reacted strongly after hearing Jones’ comments about agents and contract talks, particularly because of the language the Cowboys owner used while discussing Pickens and representation. During his appearance on ESPN’s First Take, Smith did not hide his frustration.
“I’m very disturbed by what Jerry Jones said. I’m going to call him. I’m going to go see him if I can, because I’m not comfortable with what words just — I just heard come out of Jerry Jones’ mouth,” said Smith. “Look at the reporters behind him. Look at their faces when you brought up daddy…yo, man, come on now. That’s a very, very uncomfortable thing… Everybody knows that’s my guy. But, I don’t like that at all. That’s incredibly uncomfortable to say.”
Smith’s reaction came after Jones attempted to explain his long-running preference for handling negotiations directly with players rather than working primarily through agents. In doing so, Jones referenced a family-style analogy that immediately drew criticism for both tone and context.
Jones’ Comments Revive Old Tension Over Agents and Negotiations
Jones’ comments were not made in a vacuum. This is not the first time his relationship with agents, especially David Mulugheta, has become part of a larger Cowboys storyline. While discussing negotiations.
“The facts are that I’ve talked to hundreds of agents in my time over the last 35 years and have talked to some recently,” Jones said, via ESPN. “I need to do a better job of not getting, ‘Well, Daddy said I could have it,’ and him going to Momma … and saying, ‘Daddy said I could have it…It always works out. If he worked without an agent, he’d save a lot of money with me.”
That comment immediately brought back memories of the Cowboys’ failed efforts to secure a long-term agreement with Micah Parsons last offseason. Parsons, who was also represented by Mulugheta, had direct conversations with Jones before insisting his agent take over the process. That situation eventually unraveled, and Parsons was later traded to the Green Bay Packers before the 2025 season began.
Smith referenced that history directly when he explained why Jones’ comments were so problematic: “That’s what he said about Micah Parsons.”
Pickens’ Contract Talks Now Carry Even More Tension
The timing of all this matters because Pickens is now one of the biggest priorities on Dallas’ offseason agenda. The Cowboys placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on the Pro Bowl wideout, keeping him under contract for 2026 while delaying a long-term resolution.
Jones has publicly said the team has long-term plans for Pickens, but he has also acknowledged that meaningful negotiations have not really begun. That has created uncertainty about a player coming off his best season, after posting 93 catches, 1,429 yards, and nine touchdowns in 2025.
Smith argued that Jones needs to be far more careful in how he speaks publicly about situations involving players and agents.
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“Jerry Jones, watch your mouth,” said Smith. “You better than that. Watch it. Because that comes across as very, very wrong. And when you’re talking about black players, you know how that’s going to be perceived. That comes across as very, very wrong, highly insensitive. You don’t need to be using that verbiage.”
He also made it clear that Mulugheta’s standing in the NFL world cannot simply be dismissed.
“At some point in time, Jerry has to pay attention to the fact that David Mulugheta is considered one of the best agents in the business,” Smith added. “Let’s get that out the way right now. This is not a slouch. This is not some novice.”
Smith then doubled down, stressing that Jones’ stature in the sport does not make him immune to criticism.
“I know he’s a good man. But my point is you can’t say stuff like that. You can’t come across like that because it’s bad…And just because you’re the billionaire owner of the Dallas Cowboys, don’t mean that you can’t receive some heat for the stuff that comes out of your mouth.” Smith said.
“I’m very disturbed by what Jerry Jones said.”@stephenasmith reacts to Jerry Jones’ comments on George Pickens 😳 pic.twitter.com/69HMLzJe6b
— First Take (@FirstTake) April 1, 2026
As for the Cowboys, they still have until the July deadline to work out a long-term deal with Pickens. But after this latest public controversy, what should have been a straightforward contract discussion now carries a lot more heat — and a lot more scrutiny.
