Cowboys have a dangerous plan for George Pickens' contract

The Dallas Cowboys have said all the right things about keeping George Pickens in Arlington.

However, their actions haven't necessarily helped them get any closer to that goal.

Moreover, team owner/GM Jerry Jones stirred the pot by stating that the franchise tag would be an integral part of their strategy for the next two or three years.

And while that may not mean that they intend to tag Pickens in three consecutive offseasons, Cowboys insider Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News believes they're playing a dangerous game with their star.

George Pickens may force his way out of Dallas

"It seems doubtful the Cowboys would franchise Pickens three consecutive years. If anything, they're setting up for a bitter fight with him this summer if he refuses to sign the tag or reach an agreement for a contract extension by the July 15 deadline," Watkins wrote. 

Pickens led the team in targets, receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns in his first year in Dallas. Granted, CeeDee Lamb missed time with an injury, but Pickens also dominated when they were at full strength.

Jones' negotiations with David Mulugheta, who represents Pickens, ended badly in the Micah Parsons saga, and Pickens' character makes it hard to believe he'll just agree to play ball and return under the tag, much less do so in consecutive seasons.

The Cowboys have a history of dragging negotiations and shooting themselves in the foot by either losing the player or overpaying for his services as the market shifts amid their procrastination.

Jones shared a mea culpa after another disappointing season, but it looks like he's still stuck in his own ways, and it's impossible to expect different results if he keeps doing the same thing.