Dak Prescott on Cowboys’ $27M wildcard: ‘That guy’s ready’

In an era where each offseason conjures up a variety of roster changes, distractions and negotiations, sometimes “ready” is all that one can ask for when looking towards training camp. In the case of standout receiver George Pickens, “ready” is music to the Dallas Cowboys‘ ears.

After franchise tagging Pickens in February, the Cowboys didn’t quite know what to expect from their sudden standout. 2025 was a breakout year for Pickens, moving the 25-year-old into top-of-the-market territory in contract negotiations. To make matters worse, Pickens shares an agent named David Mulugheta with last year’s high-profile malcontent, Micah Parsons.

Speaking of Parsons, he offers a fantastic example of what can go wrong in matters such as this. After failing to secure a long-term extension last year, Parsons very publicly aired his frustrations in a dramatic “hold in”. Things got sa bad last summer, Parsons eventually was traded, making the entire situation a perfect disaster.

Unlike Parsons, Pickens has played his situation positively.

Instead of leaving the tag unsigned and withholding his services from practices, Pickens signed and reported to work for the mandatory portion of offseason activities. Not only that but he came in with good attitude and a commitment to work. As reported by Jon Machota during the final day minicamp, Dak Prescott seems impressed by all things Pickens right now.

“That guy makes it easy,” Prescott said of Pickens. “You see us just in routes on air out there, but you just go turn on the tape, that guy is going to get separation. He’s just different. He understands his leverage. He understands his routes. He understands where I’m looking for him at the catch point, the depth…we can go throw a lot of touchdowns right now. That guy’s ready.”

“That guy makes it easy,” Prescott said of Pickens. “You see us just in routes on air out there, but you just go turn on the tape, that guy is going to get separation. He’s just different. He understands his leverage. He understands his routes. He understands where I’m looking for him at the catch point, the depth…we can go throw a lot of touchdowns right now. That guy’s ready.”

A focused and driven Pickens should strike fear in the hearts of opponents. Pickens’ presence took the Cowboys offense to new heights in 2025. It stands to reason if everyone can stay healthy the bar can rise even higher in 2026.

“It’s great,” Prescott said of Pickens’ presence. “You feel his energy. You feel his presence. It’s in the locker room. Obviously, it’s out there on the football field. Everything felt good. He looks great. I know he’s going to be ready for (training) camp.”

“It’s great,” Prescott said of Pickens’ presence. “You feel his energy. You feel his presence. It’s in the locker room. Obviously, it’s out there on the football field. Everything felt good. He looks great. I know he’s going to be ready for (training) camp.”

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