Cowboys legend Michael Irvin sends serious message to George Pickens amid uncertainty

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens remains in the final weeks of his contract coming off the best season of his young career. 

A recent report suggested that the Cowboys could retain Pickens' rights for 2026 via the franchise tag and then trade him to a team willing to sign him to a lucrative multiyear deal. During a recent chat with USA Today’s "Sports Seriously," Cowboys legend and Hall of Fame receiver Michael Irvin advised Pickens to do whatever is necessary to remain with the NFC East club this offseason. 

Michael Irvin to George Pickens: Don't be a dummy 

"I hope he is not a dummy," Irvin said, per Chris Franklin of NJ.com. "I know he’s not a dummy, but I hope he doesn’t let this guy, any guy, persuade him. George has been looking for an opportunity like he got in Dallas with a team that can get him the ball, and now he has that. It’ll be ludicrous and stupid to say, 'All right, now that I finally found it and I had my best year, I’m just going to get up and go.'"

According to ESPN stats, Pickens finished his first season as a Dallas player ranked eighth in the NFL with 93 receptions, third with 1,429 receiving yards and tied for eighth with nine touchdown catches. That said, some of the red flags that hovered over Pickens when the 24-year-old was with the Pittsburgh Steelers seemingly followed him to Dallas and may be preventing Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones from giving the talented playmaker guaranteed money beyond the 2026 season. 

Michael Irvin: George Pickens needs to speak with his agent

Much has been made about the fact that Pickens is represented by David Mulugheta, the same agent Jones routinely declined to negotiate with during the lengthy contract saga involving star pass-rusher Micah Parsons last summer. Jones eventually traded Parsons to the Green Bay Packers for two first-round draft picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark. The Packers later signed Parsons to a four-year, $188M contract that included $136M guaranteed.

"I told Micah, and I’m telling George. The agent works for you. You don’t work for the agent," Irvin added. "I don’t know what’s up with these players, but they have to start understanding the agent works for them. When I came in this league, even when I came out as a first-round draft pick, the 11th pick, I’ve always made sure the agent understood, dude, I don’t work for you. You work for me." 

The Cowboys can use the tag on Pickens or a different player as soon as Feb. 17. How he responds to such a development could determine whether or not he remains with Dallas through the spring and summer months.