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WR George Pickens, DAL (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter JohnnyU
- Start date
⚡DEADHEAD⚡
Footballguy
Dude is the man.
Harjiran
Footballguy
He looks unbelievable in Dallas, so much better and more consistent than he was in Pittsburgh. I let him go this offseason in a keeper league because I was tired of the ups and downs. Really wish I'd stuck it out after seeing him finally reach his potential - I feel like he's basically on par with Ceedee now. That offense is scary with him and Javonte.
msudaisy26
Footballguy
He does look good in Dallas, but part of me is worried about him next year. If they franchise him will that piss him off? Has he been on his best behavior this year because he wants to get paid and if he does he reverts back? Hopefully not.
No I don't think he'd be pissed off if he got franchised and if he is that would only put him in the same situation he is right now where he needs to be on his best behavior to maximize a long term deal.
msudaisy26
Footballguy
But it isn't the same situation. This is a new team right now that he has go prove himself too. After this season he might feel he has proven himself and be upset he isn't getting a long term deal. We won't know until after the season, but Pickens has show some of those wr diva tendencies. I am wondering if they come back.
Not sure if everyone read this article from last week from the Players Tribune that George wrote with his mom: https://www.theplayerstribune.com/george-pickens-nfl-football-dallas-cowboys
I have fought the fight in this thread, the Steelers thread, and many others going back to last year that he was not the problem child he's made out to be. Misunderstood, different, probably a little immature, needs proper management but he's not a bad egg.
Steelers effed the hell up and I'm not saying that after the fact. As a Steeler fan was as disappointing a trade as I can ever recall seeing and part of the reason why I was one of the few Steeler fans down on the Metcalf trade because I knew it was heading this way and IMO they just paid more draft capital to get older, worse and more expensive.
I can't help but keep rooting for him, he's as fun as any player in the league, feels like we got a lot of cookie cutter acting dudes and George is a unique individual who brings his personality to the field. I'm happy for him, even if it bugs me to my core the Steelers screwed up and let him go.
I have fought the fight in this thread, the Steelers thread, and many others going back to last year that he was not the problem child he's made out to be. Misunderstood, different, probably a little immature, needs proper management but he's not a bad egg.
Steelers effed the hell up and I'm not saying that after the fact. As a Steeler fan was as disappointing a trade as I can ever recall seeing and part of the reason why I was one of the few Steeler fans down on the Metcalf trade because I knew it was heading this way and IMO they just paid more draft capital to get older, worse and more expensive.
I can't help but keep rooting for him, he's as fun as any player in the league, feels like we got a lot of cookie cutter acting dudes and George is a unique individual who brings his personality to the field. I'm happy for him, even if it bugs me to my core the Steelers screwed up and let him go.
Ministry of Pain
Footballguy
It doesn't hurt to have a guy like CD lined up across from you
He's done a lot while CD was gone so it's not just him going up against weak DBs
But it doesn't hurt that he's a possible WR1 although i wouldn't rank him in the Top 10 despite his numbers
Dallas is 5-5-1 and clinging to a "Chance" to make Playoffs so they kind of have to push the ball downfield right now, decent chance Pickens hits maybe 1,500+ yds this season
Cowboys should not let him out of the building or until they have another WR to pair with CD for the next 2-3 seasons
Schedule is rough for Dallas, think they end up 8-8-1, about the same as they are now...9-7-1 won't make the Playoffs in the NFC
Ministry of Pain
Footballguy
Sounds like he needs good handlers around him like Michael Irvin did and still does, you cannot leave that man alone for 5 minutes, trouble will find him quickly
Pickens might not be a bad egg but you don't have to be a bad egg to constantly have a dark cloud hanging over you
I don't think Pickens has that cloud on him right now that he had in Pittsburgh
It's not easy being a Steeler, you always have some big shoes to fill. Pickens was not a good fit for them
You seem to be assuming he'd be upset with getting tagged and I don't think he will be. Nor should he be. He'll be 25 this off-season and his career earnings are $5M. He's not going to have an issue getting nearly $30M for a year and entering UFA as a 26 year old.
Getting tagged does not mean he needs to prove himself either, not anymore then say Tee Higgins needed to prove himself. Just a situation where you have long term commitments already to other players and need to manage the cap. Jerry is trying to build a team dominant on both lines, not necessarrily a the Bengals part 2 where you have enormous long term money tied up in pass catchers. They might end up extending him anyway, but he's not going to have any issues getting tagged.
So if he's tagged will be the same situation, only arguably better as he'd know he's in a good situation with a team wanting to pay him almost $30m for the year.
msudaisy26
Footballguy
I am saying he might. You are saying he won't and you don't know that. Higgins was upset about getting tagged. You don't know how he will react to getting tagged or getting an offer. Nothing is the same year to year in the NFL.
Can you elaborate on what the dark cloud was on him in Pittsburgh? Can you tell me the off field problems he's had in his career that leads you to say he can't be left alone for 5 minutes? And please, being late is not it.
The only issue with his fit in Pittsburgh was a tired offense that ignored him to often and refused to feature him and just overall did not know how to manage him. He for sure is not a great fit for an Arthur Smith offense but they still should have made it work, beats trying to use most of the draft capital you got for him to try and trade for someone like Jakoby Myers to join your team in mid-season.
I just don't make up things to get worried about.
If they tag him he'll sign and have to be on his best behavior again to get a long term deal. That's just how it is.
Terpman22
Footballguy
If he outproduces CD this year, which is a sure thing
I don't see a scenarios where he "politely" comes in and plays on a Franchise tag, him knowing he is already outproducing his teammate...who has an extension.
And I mean, hes not only outproducing CD, he's outproducing every WR not named JSN right now.
msudaisy26
Footballguy
In dynasty leagues we try to look into the future and predict what will happen.
They are people, so it isn't how it is unless you are that person.
I'm sorry guys, you can flame for me saying this, but I think this is a dumb convo and I'm out.
Even if he actually was not happy getting tagged what he's going to do? Sign the tag and play and try to earn a long term contract extension in 2027. That's what he's going to do because there is nothing else that makes sense for him to do.
Tee just had his best season under these same circumstances. Because it's all you can do.
Even if he actually was not happy getting tagged what he's going to do? Sign the tag and play and try to earn a long term contract extension in 2027. That's what he's going to do because there is nothing else that makes sense for him to do.
Tee just had his best season under these same circumstances. Because it's all you can do.
Terpman22
Footballguy
We've been at this for a long time. There are a myriad of scenarios how this could play out.
He seems, from the outside looking in, a bit of an enigma, so its hard to predict how he will react. Most players don't react on a 10/10 scale of positivity to being franchise tagged. I'd wager 1 in 2 players do not like it. Just off of grabbing data out of the air and what I've seen over the years
But lets be honest also, anyone looking to cash in with the Cowboys on an extension have the Micah Parsons situation still fresh in their mind.
Micah famously never made it to said Franchise tag moment
Dizzy
Footballguy
Fully agree. He's not the guy you want for his blocking abilities. You want him if your offense requires an alpha male WR.
Will be very interesting to see what DAL does. A franchise tag and $28 million means a lot on maneuvering will be required. I don't think Pickens would be too upset having to wait another year for the big bag considering that DAL should have a very good team in 2026.
Terpman22
Footballguy
Dallas is currently $46-47 M over the cap for 2026, and you still need to clear up another 28M+ to get a franchise tag to work
I'm not capologist, but my guess is Dallas could restructure many a contract to make this work
msudaisy26
Footballguy
Or how about Dak, or Lamb. They got extention, but it was a long painful process. How about Aiyuk, McLauren, Deebo?
It just isn't what you want to hear. There is a chance Dallas does their usual crap with players that want extensions and it makes him upset. A lot can change and Higgjns had his best season last year per game, but missed several games. He has had more catches and yards in a season. He also sought a trade.
This is easily in the realm of.possibilty and if you play dynasty or best ball leagues early in the season something that should be thought about as free agency plays out.
I looked at this last week. At first you see you Dallas has the worst projected cap space, $46m in the hole, and I think how in the hell can they add $28m to this?
Then I looked at it's really easy. There is enormous amounts of money they can move around. Obviously this has to be accounted for at some point but they are actually in pretty decent shape IMO even having the highest paid player in the game.
I think the reason they have the worst projected cap space in the league is they just have the highest amount of actual salary due to players for the 2026 season, which of course can be moved. Right now their salary structure looks like the opposite of say the Eagles. Eagles highest base pay in 2026 right now, and only one over $10m, belongs to Jordan Davis at almost $13M. The Cowboys have players with 2026 base salaries of $40m, $25M $23.2M , $20.75m, $16.25M, $14.5m, $13.25M, $12M and several others in the $6-8M range. You look at some teams, like the Eagles and Saints, and like 90% or more of their roster has a base pay near the league minimum. Dallas can tag Pickens AND still create all kinds of room for other moves.
Ministry of Pain
Footballguy
I believe I said Michael Irvin can't be left alone for 5 minutes and I'll stand by that based
It's a good question
Dark cloud is a loose term that can elude to several things, he appeared or was painted by NFL media as if he were trouble.
It's all Pickens' POV but I believe what he wrote or said there
-I thought Pickens was disturbing the peace on the sidelines between drives kind of indicating he wanted more targets
But after what I've seen in Dallas, I don't think Pickens was bitching about his stats but more like he wanted to help the Steelers and felt useless
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Ministry of Pain
Footballguy
So I can talk to all of you with this post, the issue on the franchise tag for some players is they feel like they are being put in a precarious position with no long term guarantees
That's what it boils down to but $28M would likely sooth over some of those issues and like others said, he can still get.a huge extension after 2026
I think he'll get paid one way or the other
At worst, Dallas could trade Pickens and get a decent haul now for him
Dallas wouldn't move CD Lamb would they? Pickens opens up their playbook in several ways
Quick aside.
My brother is Michael Irvin's chiropractor and he gave my brother a shout out on his recent podcast. Called him "the hands from heaven".
My brother treats some other past and current NFL players and they are trying to get him meeting with NFL teams as a consultant because of the work he's done on them. I pull for this of course because I just want to be able to hit my bro up for insider info. Not kidding either.
FWIW, my brother believes the root cause of so many NFL player injures are flip flops. He tells these players, including Irvin, if they are going to keep wearing flip flops they have no use for him treating them. If that sounds nutty quack like to you, it does to me as well, but he did explain it to me and I'm only mentioning it as a PSA to anyone reading this that is a big flip flop or sandal wearer and you are dealing with some issues. Might want to see how you body adjusts to not wearing them for awhile.
Ministry of Pain
Footballguy
Big fan of Reefs and I wear them way too much besides just running to the beach
Most flip flops offer zero support to your feet, it's just easier to slip them on
I totally believe that chiropractor/your brother and I'm guessing he lives in South Florida
Sorry to others for thread derailment, if you want Pickens related stuff I'd stop reading right now.
I got a podiatrist who swears I should never walk around barefoot and suggested I wear something like Hoka sliders in the house. My brother see's me wearing them and rips me alive. I don't know who or what to believe, just know when I'm going to see my brother I learned to change my shoes.
And no my brother lives in the Dallas area. Irvin just flies into those games you see him on the sidelines at the U, his primary residence is the Dallas area.
Every player gets upset when they get tagged.
Football Jones
Footballguy
Pickens has turned into our go-to WR. CeeDee is the one who's going to have to adjust. As good as he is, George is better. You couldn't have asked for it to play out any better for Pickens and the Cowboys.
George is going to stay. He's happy in Dallas and is going to get paid.
George is going to stay. He's happy in Dallas and is going to get paid.
Grahamburn
Footballguy
Funny and crazy true. Florida man here who has always worn sandals. Had foot/arch problems. A lot of pain after exercise.
I wear well supported sneakers almost exclusively now if I go out and the foot pain has really subsided.
You want to say most you are probably closer to the truth but what you are saying here is not true or as I stated before anything I"m interested in discussing as it relates to Pickens mindset as I don't think it's relative.
