Cowboys' Jerry Jones has interesting reaction to George Pickens contract talks report

The uncertain future of Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens predictably became a talking point during Super Bowl media appearances featuring Cowboys players such as fellow receiver CeeDee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott, both of whom want Pickens to get paid by the club this offseason. 

Pickens is in the final weeks of his deal, and a recent story shared that "the Cowboys have not held any contract talks with Pickens' agent." For a piece produced by Tommy Yarrish of the Cowboys' website that was published on Thursday night, Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones seemed to offer a response to that report. 

Jerry Jones talking with George Pickens, but not directly?

"I'm talking to George all the time by virtue of my excitement for him," Jones claimed. "He's better than, as far as what he contributed to our team, showing the potential that he could contribute." 

That's all well and good, but history suggests Jones should probably reach out to Pickens' agent about real contract talks sooner rather than later. Last offseason, Jones declining to negotiate with agent David Mulugheta resulted in the Cowboys not getting a multiyear deal done with star pass-rusher Micah Parsons. 

Earlier this week, Parsons said he wished that Jones hadn't "compromised our relationship" before the Cowboys traded Parsons for two first-round draft picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark in late August. The Packers later rewarded Parsons with a four-year, $188M contract that included $136M guaranteed.

"There’s only two people who know the real truth — me and Jerry Jones," Parsons added about his contract saga. "I’m not mad or anything. I went to another historic organization. I got paid a historic amount. So I got really nothing to be mad about in this world."

What Jerry Jones says he wants for George Pickens' future

"I'm looking forward to getting things worked out so George can be a Cowboy a long time," Jones insisted. 

Jones and the Cowboys can retain Pickens' rights for 2026 via the franchise tag projected to be worth around $28.8M as early as Feb. 17. Whether or not Pickens would participate in Dallas' offseason program while on the tag is unknown at this time.