The Dallas Cowboys and team owner Jerry Jones entered the 2026 NFL offseason with a major decision to make about the future of star wide receiver George Pickens.
Pickens was set to hit NFL free agency. He wanted a new long-term contract. Instead, the Cowboys decided to place the non-exclusive franchise tag on him.
While the tag would pay Pickens $27.298 million for the 2026 season, there have been rumblings that he could be planning a holdout. After a breakout season in Dallas last season, he has a leg to stand on and wants to set up his future.
At this point in time, there has been no reported discussion about a long-term deal. Jones and company seem to be comfortable letting the situation play out.
That being said, the Cowboys recently reportedly made a move that could hint at a concern regarding Pickens’ long-term future with the franchise.
Dallas Cowboys May Have Given Concerning George Pickens Hint
According to a report from Ryan Fowler, Dallas is going to host Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. on a top-30 visit. He is one of the best wide receivers in the 2026 NFL Draft class and is expected to be a first-round pick.
Could the Cowboys’ interest in Cooper be interest in an option to move away from Pickens?
With CeeDee Lamb already playing on a lucrative four-year, $136 million contract, it’s possible that Jones and the front office don’t plan to pay Pickens what he wants. Bringing Cooper onboard would be insurance for when that decision is made.
Pickens is coming off of a 2025 season that saw him play in all 17 regular season games. He racked up 93 receptions for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns. Those are No. 1 wide receiver numbers.
Should Dallas decide not to pay Pickens, he would easily be able to land with a new team next offseason. The Cowboys may already be planning for that scenario.
Omar Cooper Jr. Would Be an Elite Pickens Replacement
After helping lead Indiana to a National Championship win in 2025, Cooper’s stock has soared.
Standing in at 6-foot-0 and a shade over 200 pounds, Cooper has a big-play ability. That ability makes a potential fit with the Cowboys even more intriguing.
During the 2025 season with the Hoosiers, Cooper caught 69 passes for 937 yards and 13 touchdowns. He was the clear-cut No. 1 target for star quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein has dropped a major NFL comparison for Cooper. He thinks that Deebo Samuel would be a player similar to what Cooper can become.
It’s possible that Dallas is just doing due diligence by visiting with Cooper. Or, the Cowboys could already be looking into the future past Pickens’ tenure with the team.
Cowboys May Have Dropped Concerning Hint About George Pickens