Aside from a slight Vegas misstep, George Pickens has been everything the Dallas Cowboys could've wanted.
When they traded for him in the offseason from the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Cowboys knew how talented Pickens was. It was just a question of how well he'd acclimate to their offense and to a supporting role alongside CeeDee Lamb.
The answer: pretty darn well.
That's going to lead to a major contract decision this offseason for the pending free agent Pickens.
The Cowboys could look to sign him to a long-term extension or use the franchise tag.
Pickens recently said he'd "love" to stay with the Cowboys.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport thinks the franchise tag is the most likely option.
"If Pickens is not the top receiver in free agency next offseason, then he's at least in the conversation for that title," Rapoport wrote on Sunday. "While the best option for Pickens would be to hit unfettered free agency, the more likely option, sources say, is the Cowboys franchise tag him at an expected price of over $28 million for one season. Dallas would then attempt to work out a long-term deal with Pickens."
Rapoport points out one potential problem: The Cowboys are projected to have the least open cap space in the leauge.
But the level Pickens has played at makes him a guy worth paying. He's second in the NFL with 908 receiving yards.
The payday is coming, and likely in some form from the Cowboys. For how much and for how long seem to be the major questions that a cap-strapped Dallas will have to navigate.
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