DALLAS — George Pickens and the Dallas Cowboys will continue their contract talks into the near future, having until mid-July for a multi-year deal to be executed before the non-exclusive franchise tag placed on him becomes binding for the 2026 season.
Dak Prescott is no stranger to the tag, having been the recipient of it on more than one occasion in his prior negotiations with the Cowboys, and that means the All-Pro quarterback can empathize and provide sage advice to the young wideout.
Speaking as co-chair at an annual Children's Cancer Fund in Dallas, Prescott did exactly that: offered up words of advice for Pickens as he goes through 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.
"At the end of the day, bet on yourself. 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."
The team's front office and coaching staff have continually made it clear they "want him here" whenever peppered with questions regarding the status of contract talks with the newly-minted Pro Bowler who had a career-best season with Prescott at the helm and multi-time All-Pro receiver CeeDee Lamb serving as the other major aerial threat.
Prescott's post-tag advice mirrors what he offered up to Pickens back in early January, following the conclusion of the Cowboys' season.
"Don't let it get personal," he said to the former second-round pick. "At the end of the day, this is business. Both sides are gonna want negotiations. Honestly, me and Jerry's wasn't pretty at all, right? … Things are gonna come up, things aren't gonna sit right [with you]. You're gonna feel slighted when they [offer] you a million or two less than whatever you said, and that's just the business.
"Play the game. Play back. But don't let it get personal."
Given the events of 2025, it's sound advice that could pay dividends if Pickens heeds it and, by all accounts, it appears he ultimately will.
