ESPN’s Adam Schefter is using Super Bowl Weekend to promote what he is characterizing as a “scoop” regarding George Pickens.<\/p>\n
The problem? To put a very fine point on this: The Dallas Cowboys’ plan with George Pickens and the franchise tag is not Schefter’s scoop.<\/p>\n
Advertisement<\/p>\n
It’s ours.<\/p>\n
Schefter writes, “The Dallas Cowboys are expected to place their franchise tag on Pro Bowl wide receiver George Pickens, league sources told ESPN.”<\/p>\n
Yeah, we know, Adam. It’s just that you’re more than two months late.<\/p>\n
Schefter is right. Just like our Mike Fisher was right on Nov. 27 when he broke the first sourced story on Dallas’ intentions here at CowboysRoundtable.com<\/a>. … and it is therefore disingenuous for Schefter and ESPN to pretend they’re “breaking a story” here.<\/p>\n Some might even accuse them of “stealing credit for a story.”<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Is there really anything new here? We’ll credit colleague Calvin Watkins of the Dallas News<\/a> for noting that the Cowboys have yet to alert Pickens’ agent to the plan. (Maybe somebody will alert Schefter to this so he can claim another “scoop”!)<\/p>\n And we’re trying to explain to the world that the Cowboys can create plenty of cap room (without CeeDee Lamb having to give up salary) to make it happen.<\/p>\n But otherwise?<\/p>\n READ MORE: Source: Cowboys Signing George Pickens Plan? \u2018Easy Step\u2019 Is Franchise Tag<\/a><\/p>\n Read it for yourself.<\/p>\n The original story (with the link above), reprinted verbatim from Nov. 27 here at CowboysRoundtable.com reads as follows …<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n George Pickens is taking full advantage of existing in the eye of a perfect storm.<\/p>\n Last spring, the Dallas Cowboys were desperate to trade for an explosive offensive weapon. Pickens left Pittsburgh and its mediocre quarterback play and created instant chemistry with Pro Bowl QB Dak Prescott. And in a contract year, he’s posting the best numbers of his career.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m really just grinding,\u201d Pickens said modestly, reflecting on a 2025 campaign during which he’s second among all NFL players in receiving yards (1,054) and third in receiving touchdowns (eight). This is kind of always what I was capable of. \u2026<\/p>\n “Hopefully, I can just keep doing what I\u2019m doing. Stay in the lab.\u201d<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n And if he continues even near this pace? And continues to put his Steelers-era behavioral baggage behind him?<\/p>\n As he’s in the final year of his rookie contract, the free-agent-to-be will move from the lab to the negotiating table.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Cowboys Fan: Enter To Win Sean Lee Jersey<\/a><\/p>\n And amid much speculation on Dallas’ plan in that regard? A source is making is very clear to me.<\/p>\n “The first step, the easy step, is the franchise tag,” the source said. “And then we go from there.”<\/p>\n The Steelers traded Pickens and a 2027 sixth-round pick to the Cowboys in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick, and at the time, Dallas knew this might just be a risky rental.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n But now? Pickens is described by Prescott as being other-wordly.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s not from this planet,\u2019\u2018 Dak said.<\/a><\/p>\n And “GP” is developing to the point at which he’s seen as an equal to teammate and fast friend CeeDee Lamb. The four-time Pro Bowler Lamb makes $34 million APY – a top-three number in the NFL, behind only Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase ($40 mil) and Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson ($36 mil).<\/p>\n Pickens’ agent, David Mulugheta, can reasonably be planning on asking for the same.<\/p>\n Can Dallas afford that? Unquestionably, as a simple seven-step program (which we illustrate in great detail here<\/a>) can free up $110 million under the 2026 cap of about $295.5 million.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Will Dallas pay that? It doesn’t have to. … because of the tag, projected to be a guaranteed $28 million for 2026.<\/p>\n Does Cowboys owner Jerry Jones envision any scenario in which where Pickens plays anywhere other than Dallas in 2026?<\/p>\n