George Pickens, Cowboys Reportedly Not Engaged in Contract Talks Ahead of Free Agency

The Dallas Cowboys have not yet discussed an extension with wide receiver George Pickens ahead of the 2025 NFL trade deadline, NFL insider Ed Werder reported Tuesday.

The Cowboys have just one week remaining before the trade window closes next Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET.

Pickens, an offseason trade acquisition from the Pittsburgh Steelers, has one year remaining on his rookie contract before he is scheduled to hit unrestricted free agency in 2026.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported shortly after the Cowboys acquired Pickens in May the team's plan was "for Pickens to play out his rookie deal."

Clarence Hill Jr. of All City DLLS reported around the same time Pickens wasn't looking for an extension because he "wants to show he's a top guy this year."

Since then, Pickens has upped his potential trade value with the strongest season start of his career.

Thanks in part to multiple games spent as Dak Prescott's top target while CeeDee Lamb was sidelined by an ankle injury, Pickens has racked up a career-high 85.6 yards per game through Week 8 of his first season in Dallas.

The 24-year-old currently leads the Cowboys with 685 receiving yards, and he's tied for the team lead with six receiving touchdowns.

When asked about potentially extending Pickens last Tuesday, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said in an appearance on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas the wide receiver was "a topic of interest and discussions because of the success he's having."

ESPN's Dan Graziano reported the following day the Cowboys "have had internal discussions about a possible extension" for Pickens.

According to Graziano, the Cowboys' discussions reached the point the franchise was "examining the rosters and cap situations" of the Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles to see how other teams had navigated paying two top receivers such as Lamb and Pickens.

Although Graziano noted he doesn't "think anything gets done on this until after the season," the Cowboys' reported attempt to work out a way to keep both stars could mean the team will take the risk of holding on to Pickens' expiring contract past the deadline.

On the other hand, teams like the Bengals and Dolphins have seen other parts of their teams deteriorate after concentrating money on their star quarterbacks and receiver duos.

Pickens' market value is projected at $29 million annually by Spotrac. The Cowboys could theoretically decide to instead that cap space to shore up weaker parts of the roster, like a defense whose struggles have led to the team's 3-4-1 start despite a strong season from Prescott.

While Jones and the front office are finalizing their plans, Pickens and the Cowboys will prepare to take on the Arizona Cardinals the night before the trade deadline in next Monday's Week 9 matchup.