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Cowboys' Jerry Jones Backs Pickens Amid Franchise Tag Concerns

4/1/2026

Summary

Jones Commits to Pickens

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones commits to George Pickens, who remains under a $28 million franchise tag for 2026.
Jones said negotiations for a contract extension have not yet begun.
Coach Brian Schottenheimer expressed confidence in Pickens staying and preserving chemistry with Dak Prescott.
Concerns exist that Pickens could be unhappy with the franchise-tag salary versus other top receivers.
The deadline to reach a long-term deal is July 15, 2026.

Summary

Jones Negotiates Directly

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones seeks to negotiate directly with franchise-tagged George Pickens, echoing his prior dealings with Micah Parsons.
Jones says Pickens could save money by forgoing agent David Mulugheta, who also represents Micah Parsons.
The move raises concerns about undermining player-agent relationships.
The NFL Players Association has not sanctioned Jones, and the episode may influence the next Collective Bargaining Agreement.

History

Historical Context

The NFL's 2011 lockout, lasting 136 days, stemmed from disputes over player salaries and benefits, echoing past labor conflicts. Negotiations began in 2010, but owners, led by Commissioner Roger Goodell, sought to reduce player revenue shares. The impasse ended on July 25, 2011, with a new Collective Bargaining Agreement that established a salary cap of $120.375 million and improved player benefits, shaping future negotiations.

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Jones Commits to Pickens

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones commits to George Pickens, who remains under a $28 million franchise tag for 2026.
Jones said negotiations for a contract extension have not yet begun.
Coach Brian Schottenheimer expressed confidence in Pickens staying and preserving chemistry with Dak Prescott.
Concerns exist that Pickens could be unhappy with the franchise-tag salary versus other top receivers.
The deadline to reach a long-term deal is July 15, 2026.

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