Cowboys legend Dez Bryant had an important message for George Pickens after watching the receiver torch Las Vegas Raiders for 144 yards and a touchdown Monday night. Bryant urged him to build a legacy in Dallas rather than chasing payday..
Bryant tells George Pickens to pick rings over riches in Cowboys
Pickens caught nine passes for 144 yards and found the end zone once in the Cowboys' 33-16 victory. The class outing pushed him to 908 receiving yards. For the unversed, the number it represented placed his stat as one of the best totals any Cowboys receiver has posted in their first 10 games with the team.
But the ex-Cowboys receiver sees something bigger for his legacy on the horizon.
Taking on X following MNF, Bryant told Pickens his "legacy will be worth more than being the highest paid wide receiver" if he stays with the Cowboys. The former All-Pro urged Jerry Jones to shake up the defensive staff, suggesting the owner move on from coordinator Matt Eberflus and hand the keys to Al Harris instead.
He stressed the importance of staying current, penning, “I've watched great teams and been a part of great teams the Cowboys have had over the years. Also, you have to keep the roster young and hungry.”
He added, “I played with guys who were past their due date and didn't love the game..respectfully.” Bryant knows the drill because he negotiated with Jones for years during his own tenure.
Pickens was not on the field during the first drive for disciplinary reasons. Once he returned to the field, he celebrated a wild touchdown, resulting in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
The crowd at AT&T Stadium felt his fire, and they understood his feelings as Pickens is on the road to get his second 1,000-yard season. With his rookie deal expiring after this season and the franchise tag looming around $29 million, Pickens faces a massive decision.
Bryant just advised Pickens to think about rings for now, not contracts. The irony? Bryant himself became one of the league's highest-paid receivers during his prime. However, his point about not chasing paychecks is also valuable.
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