Megan Briggs/Getty Images

Jerry Jones Continues To Happily Break NFL Negotiating Rule

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Mar 31, 2026 5:52 PM ET

Stop us if you've heard this one before: Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is struggling with a player contract negotiation. But unlike last year's situation with Micah Parsons, everyone could have seen this one coming.

Last season Jones made a trade for wide receiver George Pickens in what turned out to be a stellar move on his part. Pickens led the Cowboys in receiving and is primed for a big payday in 2026.

But Pickens' contract is up and he's currently set to play in 2026 under the franchise tag. Jones would obviously love to have Pickens back on a long-term deal, but is reluctant to work through Pickens' agent, David Mulugheta (who just so happens to be Parsons' agent too). Speaking to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, Jones mused that Pickens would make more money if he just dropped Mulugheta.

“If he worked without an agent, he’d save a lot of money... with me.”

I asked Jerry Jones if George Pickens has said he wants negotiations to go thru agent David Mulugheta. Jones said he’s talked to agents over the years and has no issue doing that. But… “If he worked without an agent, he’d save a lot of money.” After a pause, he added: “With me.” https://t.co/5IXkkSaoC7
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 31, 2026

Jerry vs. Agents

Jones' refusal to negotiate through agents has consistently resulted in top players either getting traded in contract years or running out the clock on their contracts and becoming free agents. Many believe that this habit is one of the reasons that the Cowboys have not been back to the Conference Championship Game in 30 years while just about every other team (even the objectively terrible ones) have.

Last year Jones' inability to work with Mulugheta regarding Parsons led to Jones trading Parsons to the Green Bay Packers. Parsons subsequently secured an historic $46.5 million per year deal.

Nov 17, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens (3) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Pickens should be smart enough to know that Mulugheta is going to get him significantly more money working through him (even after paying his cut) than working with Jones directly.

The bigger issue is at what point the NFL or the NFL Players Association steps in and tells Jones that he really shouldn't be doing what he's doing in trying to undermine player-agent relationships.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: