Speaking to reporters from the start of the NFL Combine, executive vice president and director or player personnel Stephen Jones gave insight into the latest on Pickens, and more.
Jones noted “it takes time” when negotiating a deal with so many different machinations and that will be near the top of the market once it’s done. He went on to double down on the fact the Cowboys “want Pickens here” and that they “love him” and “think the world of him”.
For his part, Pickens has already made it clear he’d like to remain in Dallas, having already built an intense chemistry with All-Pro talent Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, as well as the locker room as a whole, and Jones views that “as all a plus” in their upcoming contract talks.
Should Pickens receive the franchise tag, there are questions outside the building regarding if he’ll decide to play under it.
Jones rightfully notes the Cowboys have “had people play under the tag” previously, such as Prescott, DeMarcus Lawrence and Dalton Schultz, but that they’ve also “done deals with people that have a tag” — specifically Prescott and Lawrence, who both saw their last tag rescinded due to a new contract.
For the purposes of bookkeeping, it’s key to note Pickens would forfeit $28 million in fully guaranteed salary and be forced to miss an entire year of football if he is tagged and, absent a deal by mid-July, choose to not play under it.
That doesn’t sound as if it’s something the Cowboys are currently concerned with, particularly considering they feel they can get a deal done with the newly-crowned Pro Bowler coming off of a 1,400-yard, nine touchdown season, career-highs in both categories; and Jones says that, if push comes to shove, the Cowboys can still “do everything we need to” if they’re tied to a $28 million franchise tag, seeing as they can free up more than $130 million in restructures alone that do not require a player’s permission.