Can Cowboys, Jerry Jones keep a lid on George Pickens drama? | Opinion

Cowboys owner insists there will be no rift with Pickens' (and Micah Parsons’) agent. Easier said than done, writes Jarrett Bell.

INDIANAPOLIS – All honey.

That’s how Jerry Jones described his vision for the flow with George Pickens, now that the Dallas Cowboys have ensured that the All-Pro wide receiver won’t hit the market on March 11 as a free agent. On Friday, the Cowboys officially placed a franchise player tag on Pickens that comes with a $27.298 million payday for 2026 yet also marks the intent for the team to strike a deal for a long-term contract.

In many circles, Pickens, 24, ranked as the NFL’s top projected free agent. What a rise for a once-disgruntled player obtained in a May trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“Very clearly, the Cowboys want George Pickens to be a part of our future,” the Cowboys owner said, speaking to a small group of media that included USA TODAY Sports, aboard his luxury bus on Friday night after watching a workout session at the NFL scouting combine. “That says that so clearly. And it has a lot of muscle behind it when it says it.”

Sounds inviting enough. Yet these are the Dallas Cowboys we’re talking about.