Former Super Bowl Champion Urges George Pickens to Get Out of Dallas

It doesn't seem like the offseason drama between the Dallas Cowboys and star wide receiver George Pickens is going to end anytime soon.

The two sides have been at a stalemate regarding a current contract extension ever since the Cowboys applied the franchise tag to him weeks ago.

Pickens has made it clear he wants to get paid this year following his breakout 93-catch, 1,429-yard, nine-touchdown season - all career highs - and he's not content with just playing the 2026 season on the franchise tag, which the Cowboys have told him is their preference.

However, during an appearance on ESPN's "NFL Live" on Tuesday, former Super Bowl champion Jason McCourty urged Pickens not to fall for the Cowboys' tricks and to find a way to get out of Dallas.

"It's not a lot of fun if you're George Pickens and you're at home and you hear, ‘We don't plan on signing you to a long-term deal. We want you to just sign your franchise tag and come on and play,'" McCourty said. "If I'm George Pickens, I'm having my agent explore every opportunity to get a trade going because if I'm Pickens, I want to go somewhere this offseason where I can get paid.

"Is there a team that's willing to give something up to get him there and then give him the contract that he earned with his play on the field a year ago? … If I'm Pickens, I'm trying to get out to get the contract right now, and then my last resort is to sign that tag and go play."

Under the franchise tag, Pickens is set to make $27.29 million next season. While no small amount of money, the deal only gives Pickens security through next year.

If he has an equally impressive 2026, he could cash-in next offseason and signa lucrative deal elsewhere, but if he gets injured at any point, it hurts his chances of landing the big-money deal he's seeking.

2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.

This story was originally published April 28, 2026 at 10:27 PM.