Dallas Cowboys fans expected the franchise to make a concrete decision on George Pickens. However, they have pushed the contract extension talks to the end of the 2026 season. With things getting delayed, Chris Olave’s new deal might favor Pickens.

Pickens recently agreed to a $27.2 million, fully guaranteed franchise-tag deal with the Cowboys. But now, the latest contract move by the New Orleans Saints, signing Olave to a four-year contract extension worth up to $132 million, could turn the tables for Pickens as well.

"Pickens and his agency will see Olave's contract numbers," Zach Dimmit of Dallas Cowboys On SI wrote on August 1. "And should feel confident about what's to come on his inevitable new contract."

Dallas Cowboys on SI talked about how Olave's new deal could be beneficial for Pickens. Olave's contract, signed on Thursday, July 30, also includes a $35 million signing bonus and a $90 million guaranteed amount, making him the eighth-highest-paid receiver in the NFL.

Both 2022 NFL Draft picks performed well last season, although Pickens' season was slightly better than Olave's, which leads to the belief that Pickens might cross the bar set high by Olave.

While Olave had 100 receptions, 1163 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns, Pickens had 93 receptions, 1429 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns as well. Pickens also had his career-best receiving success rate and yards from scrimmage of 65 percent and 1429, respectively.

While there is a possibility of Olave's new contract pushing the contract value of Pickens since they are from the same draft class, the 2025 Pro Bowl star has spoken up about focusing on the game more.

George Pickens has already cleared his mentality before the start of the season

After Pickens signed the franchise tag deal, he made it clear in mid-June that he didn't focus on the contract, but set his mind on the game instead.

"I left it up to agents," Pickens said, per the Dallas Cowboys. "So I was, even when we were nine, ten months from training camp, I was already thinking about ball; I was already training kind of leave that to the people that can do that. For me, I just make catches, make plays, be a playmaker."

At the Cowboys' opening press conference on July 28, owner and general manager Jerry Jones said he wanted Pickens to stay with the Cowboys "for the rest of his career." Pickens responded to this comment as well.

"Super excited," Pickens said. "I'm always super happy when someone thinks highly of me, so shoutout to Jerry."

Pickens is currently valued at $122 million for a four-year deal with an average annual salary of $30.6 million.

While it is still unclear whether Dallas will sign him in 2027 or whether he will become a free agent and go elsewhere, Olave's deal has definitely raised the prices for wide receivers in the league.

Share your thoughts on whether Olave's contract will impact Pickens' long-term deal with Dallas.

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Written by

Dhruv Singh

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar