Cowboys' Stephen Jones on Pickens, Lamb: Not sure any team can pay two WRs at top of market
NFL.com • • sports
Key Points:
- The Dallas Cowboys are delaying contract decisions for wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens until after the 2026 season, focusing on a win-now approach despite looming salary cap challenges.
- Executive VP Stephen Jones acknowledged the difficulty of paying two top receivers top market value simultaneously, noting the team has managed for the current season but expects greater challenges next year.
- The Cowboys franchise-tagged Pickens for 2024 but have no immediate plans for a long-term deal, preferring he prove his consistency before contract talks intensify in 2027; Pickens has not publicly objected to this strategy.
- While some NFL teams have paid two receivers well, it is uncommon and requires careful salary cap management; Pickens' current franchise tag is $27.3 million, and Lamb's contract averages $34 million annually, complicating potential deals.
- The Cowboys aim to capitalize on their talented receiving corps this season to make a deep playoff run, a feat that has eluded the franchise for nearly 30 years.
