Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens had one of the best contract years in recent memory and is set to earn a massive payday on the open market. Acquired in an offseason trade, the former Steeler had the best year of his career in 2025, finishing the campaign with 93 receptions for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns on 137 targets. This incredible season earned Pickens a spot on the Pro Bowl roster and will likely earn him a contract that places him among the league’s top-paid wide receivers.
However, that contract may not come from the Dallas Cowboys. According to Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News, Pickens and the Cowboys “have not held any contract talks” thus far. While Watkins adds that the team would still prefer to keep Pickens around, this isn’t a good sign for his long-term future with the team – especially when you factor in that Dallas has begun speaking with running back Javonte Williams.
Perhaps George Pickens and the Dallas Cowboys ultimately agree to a long-term deal, but the Cowboys have a history of letting star players leave the building. Seeing as they already spent big money on quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, nobody should be too surprised if the team lets Pickens walk. While anyone would love to have a player with his talent on the roster, the following three organizations are the best fits.
Cowboys Could Let George Pickens Walk In Free Agency
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans have a new head coach in Robert Saleh, but the ultimate success of his tenure lives and dies with former first-overall pick Cam Ward. Ward didn’t put up the best numbers as a rookie, but no young quarterback could have succeeded in this environment. He showed plenty of promise, and now it’s time for Tennessee to surround him with players who can maximize his potential.
The Titans have arguably the league’s worst collection of wide receiver talent, and George Pickens would bring some much-needed life to this room. Armed with a league-best $104.8 million in cap space, Tennessee has the financial freedom to take steal George Pickens from the Cowboys without impacting their ability to upgrade the offensive line.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers are a good team, but they have the financial resources to become great in the next couple of months. Justin Herbert is one of the game’s top quarterbacks, and the defense is elite, so Jim Harbaugh’s squad should use most of its resources on improving the offensive supporting cast. While the offensive line is the biggest need, nobody should be surprised if the team spends big on someone like George Pickens.
Ladd McConkey is a fine possession receiver, but the former second-round pick did not take the Year 2 leap in 2025. Keenan Allen isn’t getting any younger, and Quentin Johnston is better in a depth role. Pickens will give the Chargers a legitimate WR1, and new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel should know how to get the most out of him.
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots are in the Super Bowl just one year after they went 4-13. This team is well ahead of schedule in their rebuild, but that doesn’t mean this is a perfect roster. The Patriots have some decent weapons at wide receiver, but they lack a true game-changing talent. Stefon Diggs is still good, but he’s not the player he once was, and guys like Kayshon Boutte, Demario Douglas, and Mack Hollins are not high-volume receivers.
New England has the biggest competitive advantage in football in Drake Maye’s contract. This is the time to take advantage of this window of opportunity by going all-in and signing an elite weapon like George Pickens.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee – Imagn Images
