As the Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens' franchise-tag situation continues to draw attention, franchise legend Michael Irvin has weighed in with a clear message for the star receiver. 

On the recent episode of the 'DLLS Cowboys Podcast', Irvin backed the owner of the Cowboys, Jerry Jones' decision to place the tag on Pickens. He further urged Pickens to make the most of the deal, at present.

“Let’s not look at this as, they didn’t want to pay me money,” Irvin said. “Let’s look at this as, last year I had a team that didn’t want to give me anything. They let me go. Right now, I got a team that is willing to say, ‘I will give you $30 million a year deal right now,’ that’s not a bad deal.”

Pickens is heading into the 2026 season after his best campaign with the franchise in 2025. He recorded all career highs in receptions (93), receiving yards (1,429), and touchdowns (9),  earning his first Pro Bowl selection and second-team All-Pro honors. 

Irvin also stated that Pickens has to compare himself to where he was last year and his current position, rather than comparing himself to other top WRs in the league. 

“When you look at where you stand and where you started, and he needed to see this,” Irvin added. “And not let those people in this microphone and the people speaking into this microphone inflate a number we never would have been able to reach."

According to Irvin, placing Pickens on the non-exclusive franchise tag was the most practical move Jones could make. He believes ‘everybody out there’ stated a value that was closer to that of Jaxon Smith-Njigba ($42.15M), which is impossible to meet.

He wants the team to have a peaceful offseason that carries into a smooth preseason and regular season, rather than being overshadowed by contract speculation and unnecessary distractions.

Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith has expressed a similar desire for a quieter, football-focused offseason for the Cowboys, as Pickens has signed his tag.

Emmitt Smith Shares Why Cowboys' Quiet Offseason Matters

During his interview with USA Today's Chris Bumbaca, HOF running back Smith urged the Cowboys to have a drama-free offseason and focus more on football, considering their 30-year Super Bowl drought.

"Sometimes you have to rise above the fray, and this is one of those times where we need to rise above the fray," Smith said. "Because the last 31 years have not produced the things that we want to see. There's no reason to be having drama when you don't have to. You don't have to create it."

He believes the only distraction this offseason was the Pickens contract saga, though it has been temporarily resolved, with the wideout signing the franchise tag.

"Now that we've gotten George Pickens out of the way, quietness is important, because it says the focus is where it needs to be - on the field," Smith added.

After reshaping their defense through free agency and the draft, the Cowboys believe they are better positioned to compete for a Super Bowl this season.

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Written by

Archana Ramakrishnan

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi