If itâs up to Brian Schottenheimer, George Pickens will be a Dallas Cowboy for the foreseeable future.
Pickens, who has a team-leading 83 catches for 908 yards and seven touchdowns, is scheduled to become a free agent in March. Schottenheimer stated Tuesday that heâd like the team to do what it takes to keep him long term.
âSign me up. I mean, what do you say?â the Cowboys head coach said. âThose two guys (Pickens and CeeDee Lamb), I just love their relationship, man. I love the firepower that they give us. Thatâs one of those games where you never know which one itâs going to be. Some games itâs both of them. Some games itâs one of them, and again, like I said, I pinch myself at times. Because when youâre talking about youâre Dak (Prescott) or the play caller, like myself, youâre like âOK, if we do this, which way do I throw it to? I like that matchup, but wow, that one is pretty good too.â Thatâs real.
âIâm very in favor of George having a long-term future with us.â
How Valuable Has Pickens Been?
Seeking a legitimate No. 2 receiver opposite Lamb, the Cowboys acquired Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers in May for a 2026 third-round pick. Theyâre paying him only $3.6 million this year, a relative bargain for a player of Pickensâ caliber.
But his price is rising. The 24-year-old turned in another big effort in Mondayâs 33-16 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, catching a team-high nine passes for 144 yards and a touchdown.
Pickensâ 908 receiving yards are second to Jaxon Smith-Njigbaâs (1,146), and he has 14 receptions of 20 yards or more.
With Lamb starring opposite him, the Cowboysâ offense has been dynamic. Dallas leads the NFL in passing offense and is second in scoring, averaging 29.6 points per game. Across the NFL, only the Indianapolis Colts are scoring at a more proficient level (32.1).
What are the Cowboys’ Options for Keeping Pickens?
Should the Cowboys want to keep Pickens, they can either tag him or try to work out a long-term extension. According to Over the Cap, the projected franchise tag for receivers next season is approximately $28 million.
Pickens will undoubtedly be pricey, but the Cowboys can ill-afford to let him walk. He and Lamb have formed one of the NFLâs premier receiving duos, and the team has already devoted significant resources to other positions. For example, two draft picks, including a 2026 second-rounder, were traded to the New York Jets for Pro Bowl defensive tackle Quinnen Williams earlier this month.
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