The Dallas Cowboys boast one of the most explosive receiver duos in the NFL with CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, but Vice President Stephen Jones just pulled the curtain back on a brutal truth: keeping both stars long-term is a “real difficult situation.” Last season, these two combined for an insane 2,506 receiving yards, complementing each other perfectly. Even with Lamb missing three games due to injury, Pickens stepped up and carried a huge offensive load. These guys are crucial to how the Cowboys’ offense runs, yet the franchise might lose one of them in the near future.
George Pickens’ Tag and a Looming Choice
Pickens has already been a hot topic in contract talks this offseason. He wanted a long-term deal, no doubt, but the team wasn’t ready to offer him one. So, the 25-year-old signed a $27.3 million franchise tag, guaranteeing him money for this season. Jones himself confirmed that a long-term deal wasn’t possible for Pickens this offseason. This guy had a brilliant first year as a Dallas Cowboy, by the way, recording 1,429 yards and making the Pro Bowl for his elite play. If he continues playing elite football and has another monster season while on that tag, either another team will find a way to grab him, or the Cowboys will be forced to pay a massive amount to keep him.
CeeDee Lamb’s Deal is Getting Pricey, Fast
Then there’s CeeDee Lamb. He’s currently playing on a four-year, $136 million extension he signed way back in 2024. But here’s the kicker: since then, tons of top wide receivers have inked massive deals, and Lamb’s contract is starting to look like a bargain for him, not for the team. Soon, the Cowboys will need to offer him another extension too. Jones is just being honest about the bind they’re in, saying, “I don’t know of any teams that really can pay two top receivers top of the market, so that’s gonna be a real difficult situation as we move forward.” He noted, “We’ve managed to figure out how we can do it for this year. If everything works out the way we think it is, [in] which CeeDee and George both have huge years again, then it’ll be a bigger challenge next year.”
This comment from Jones hits different because it comes just one month after he said it was “realistic” to have both of them on the roster. It seems like reality is setting in hard for the front office. Lamb and Pickens clearly get along and are great together, but if the money gets too tight, the Cowboys might have no choice but to split them up. This season, what each of these guys does on the field won’t just impact wins and losses, it’ll dictate the entire future of the Cowboys’ offense. It’s a huge test of how the front office prioritizes talent and manages the cap. Get ready, because a decision is coming.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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