The Dallas Cowboys may have found one of the NFL's most explosive weapons in George Pickens, but the franchise still appears far from fully committing to him long term. Despite a massive debut year in Dallas, fresh reports suggest the front office remains hesitant about handing the wide receiver a blockbuster extension.
That uncertainty is now fueling fresh trade speculation around the star pass catcher. While the Cowboys publicly continue to back Pickens, league insiders believe the team is quietly keeping its options open behind the scenes.
George Pickens Contract Situation Leaves Cowboys Fans Uneasy
NFL insider James Palmer recently shared a blunt update that immediately caught the attention of Cowboys fans. During an appearance on Kay Adams' show, Palmer suggested Dallas is nowhere close to offering Pickens the type of deal elite receivers expect.
"If you had to put a percentage on it right now, how likely is it that (Jones) actually gives (Pickens) that deal?" Adams asked.
"I think it's close to zero, I really do," Palmer replied. "I haven't heard anything from that building during this entire time that they were planning on giving him a contract extension; I really haven't. And it's for a few reasons — they know, and George knows this. Even though he can be upset with what's going on…but there is a reason he was drafted where he was drafted because of Georgia, there was a reason why the Cowboys were the only team that was offering a trade for him and they got one of the best players in terms of talent."
"Everybody I've talked to in the league [says] he is as talented as a wide receiver as there is in football, there's no question in everyone's mind there. But there's a reason the Cowboys were the only team that called and they got him for a third-round pick because of what happened in Pittsburgh."
Those comments reopened questions many believed had faded after Pickens delivered a dominant season in Dallas. The receiver finished with 1,429 yards, 93 catches, nine touchdowns, and quickly became Dak Prescott's most dangerous deep threat alongside CeeDee Lamb.
Cowboys Trade Rumors Surrounding George Pickens Refuse to Disappear
Even with that production, Dallas reportedly wants more proof before investing heavily. Palmer explained that the Cowboys are still weighing the financial strain of paying multiple stars at premium positions.
"They liked what they saw for a year, but it's still a small sample size in Stephen and Jerry Jones' eyes," Palmer continued. "Giving that much money to CeeDee Lamb at the top of the wide receiver market, Dak Prescott at the top of the quarterback market — that's a difficult thing to do."
The bigger surprise came when Palmer hinted trade conversations may already be happening internally.
"I think there's been conversations like, 'If we traded him what could we get?' I think those (discussions) have been more frequent than a contract extension," Palmer added.
That revelation could become a major storyline if negotiations stall deeper into the offseason. Teams like the Baltimore Ravens, New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers, and Tennessee Titans could emerge as serious suitors if Dallas ever decides to move its star receiver.
