The Dallas Cowboys are reportedly considering placing the franchise tag on wide receiver George Pickens ahead of the 2024 season. Sports commentator Skip Bayless, speaking on The Arena: Gridiron, advised the team to reconsider heavily committing to Pickens’ future due to concerns about his reliability and leadership.
Issues with Discipline and Leadership Cloud Pickens’ Prospects
Although Pickens showcased exceptional talent in his first season with the Cowboys, Bayless expressed doubts about his consistency as a winning player and team leader. Bayless highlighted Pickens’ pattern of missing or arriving late to meetings, which reportedly caused friction within the team and was a factor in Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin’s decision not to retain him.
In the end, George Pickens, you can’t trust him to be a winning football player, to be a leader of your team,
Bayless said.
“He makes some winning plays, but then you look at the end of the day and you say we’re 7-9-1. I don’t think the rest of the team loved it that he was constantly missing or late to meetings, because that’s just who he is. That’s why Mike Tomlin said no to it.”
Bayless contrasted Pickens with fellow wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, praising Lamb’s leadership and professionalism despite Pickens’ raw ability. He stated,
If he were a solid citizen, I’d be saying, ‘No, you’ve got to go with him,’ because you could make the case he’s even better than CeeDee Lamb. But, CeeDee is a leader and a solid citizen and a baller and a playmaker, and I got that guy.
Impressive Performance Overshadowed by Off-Field Concerns
After being traded to the Cowboys last offseason following three years with the Steelers, Pickens delivered a strong breakout year. He recorded 93 receptions for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns, ranking third in the NFL for receiving yards in the 2023 season. Despite this impressive output, Bayless and others remain wary of Pickens’ history of unsportsmanlike conduct and punctuality issues.
During the 2024 campaign last year, Pickens was penalized twice for unsportsmanlike conduct in a Steelers’ narrow victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. His emotions spilled over when he punted a ball into the stands after scoring a touchdown in the same game. Earlier, he was involved in a physical altercation with Cleveland Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II during a Hail Mary attempt, further raising questions about his on-field temperament.
Cowboys Face Financial and Strategic Decision on Pickens’ Contract
The Cowboys have until March 3 to decide whether to apply the franchise tag on Pickens, which would guarantee him a salary near $28 million for the upcoming season. While this would represent a major financial commitment, team owner Jerry Jones appears open to the possibility given Pickens’ on-field production.
Jones commented on the situation, reflecting on past franchise tag experiences:
“It crosses your mind. I mean, a lot of the guys we’ve tagged participated in everything, Dak [Prescott] leading the way. He played under two of them. He never missed anything. Hopefully, that’ll be the case here.”
… In the past, we’ve done deals with top players and it’s happened in a hurry… But at the end of the day, every agent’s different, what they’re trying to accomplish, the way they look at their strategy and what they’re about.
Importance of the Decision for the Cowboys’ 2024 Season
The choice to use the franchise tag on George Pickens carries significant implications for the Cowboys’ roster and salary cap management. While Pickens’ receiving yards and touchdown totals make him an invaluable offensive weapon, the team must weigh the risks tied to his disciplinary track record and leadership qualities. Opting for the tag would buy more time to negotiate a long-term deal, but it also commits a substantial sum to a player with an unpredictable profile.
How the Cowboys resolve this situation will influence their offensive strategy and locker room dynamics going forward. The franchise’s deadline looms, and both Pickens and the organization face considerable pressure to prove that this partnership can succeed beyond just statistics.
“In the end, you can’t trust George Pickens to be a winning football player or a team leader.”@RealSkipBayless says the Cowboys should move on from Pickens because of the drama surrounding him. pic.twitter.com/zq07UPqNvx
— The Arena: Gridiron (@ArenaGridiron) February 23, 2026
