Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has been in this situation before.
Just last year, Jones found himself heading into a contract negotiation with star pass-rusher Micah Parsons.
That one didn’t work out because Jones chose to cut Parson’s agent David Mulugheta out of the negotiations — a decision that not only rubbed Parsons the wrong way and prompted him to request a trade, but also may have caused some bad blood between Jones and Mulugheta.
Now, star wide receiver George Pickens is also a pending free agent and seeking a contract extension — and coincidentally, Pickens’ agent is also Mulugheta, which is exactly why NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport warned Jones to tread carefully in franchise-tagging Pickens this year.
More News: Texans Fire Coach in Shocking Offseason Move Following Playoff Run
More News: Mike Tomlin’s Next Job Could Be Replacing Super Bowl-Winning Coach
“David Mulugheta does not like the tag,” Rapoport said during an interview with 105.3 The Fan at the combine. “He is not a fan. He’s had guys who have been on the tag. He does not like it. So, I don’t know what George Pickens is going to do. I just know, historically, you may not see him for a bit.
“You wanted him for the offseason program? Good luck. Because generally those guys don’t sign in March, they sign in late August. If they sign in late August. Because he doesn’t have to. So, if you tag Pickens and don’t do a deal, it’s going to be a while, and it’s going to be a saga.”
More News: LSU National Champion, Former Joe Burrow Teammate Devonta Lee Dies at 27
The Cowboys placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Pickens on Friday, locking him into a one-year, $27.298 million if the two sides don’t agree on a long-term contract extension by July 15.
The Cowboys have some extra motivation to sign Pickens to a long-term deal given the financial strain his franchise tag puts on the team heading into free agency.
“WR George Pickens’ franchise tag will add an estimated $28M cap hold to the #Cowboys books, rendering them around $57M over a $303M league cap,” Spotrac’s Michael Ginnitti said. “Second-Round RFA tenders for Brandon Aubrey & T.J. Bass up that to -$68M.”
More News: Chiefs Could Trade for Former First-Round QB Amid Patrick Mahomes Injury