SAN FRANCISCO – After a career best season, Cowboys WR George Pickens is enjoying his first ever trip to the Pro Bowl.
It couldn't have come at a better time for the 24-year-old, who was in the last year of his rookie contract and is now one of, if not the top free agent available on the market across the entire league. Last week, Cowboys COO/co-owner Stephen Jones reiterated that they want to keep Pickens in Dallas next season and beyond.
The feeling is mutual from Pickens.
"I would love to," Pickens said when asked if he'd want to be in Dallas for the long run. "But when you can't control it, you kind of just hope for the best."
At present, Pickens said that the Cowboys have not reached out to him personally to discuss a contract extension.
"No, not me personally," Pickens said. "Definitely probably my agent. He doesn't tell me who he calls all the time, so definitely just kind of wait it out and hope for the best."
What is the best, in Pickens' mind?
"Just the ultimate best deal when it helps everybody…" Pickens said. "If it's the best thing for both parties, then I'm willing to do anything. But like I said, I can't control it, so I just kind of chill."
There's no one that wants Pickens to stay with the Cowboys more than their quarterback, Dak Prescott, who was named to his fourth career Pro Bowl this season after throwing for 4,552 yards and 30 touchdowns with the help of Pickens.
"I think it's vital. I think it must be done," Prescott said. "I think obviously from Jerry to everybody down understands that, and one the impact on this offense and the team and the great player that he is, we've got to find a way to keep him here."
Another option that the Cowboys have on the table to keep Pickens is the franchise tag. Pickens said that he hasn't thought about that scenario, and reiterated that if things were best for both parties, he'd be "willing to do anything."
When looking back on his rookie contract, three years of which were spent with the Steelers before being traded to Dallas in 2025, Pickens feels like his stock has only continued to climb.
"I feel like, if anything, it went up," Pickens said. "But me personally, my value is just a playmaker type of guy. I feel like any team or wherever I play, I can be playing in Canada, I just want them to know that I'm definitely a playmaker."
As far as the Cowboys go, they certainly hope Pickens is playing for them next year, and not in Canada or for any other team. There's still work to do, however, and in the meantime, Pickens will go to work improving himself more in the offseason.
"Stamina, that's kind of something I do all year, just keeping your cardio up, keeping my stamina up. Just so when I do play, I can run all day." Pickens said of what he wants to work on this offseason.
