Cowboys contract prediction from ESPN would likely lead to George Pickens' departure in 2027

George Pickens' long-term future with the Dallas Cowboys has dominated the headlines this offseason.

Despite posting a breakout 2025 campaign with 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns, the Cowboys decided to franchise-tag the young receiver rather than sign him to an extension. The Cowboys have even gone as far as shutting down contract negotiations with Pickens until after 2026.

With Pickens set to hit free agency next offseason, the 25-year-old could set himself up for a mega payday if he turns in another productive season as one of the top targets for quarterback Dak Prescott. However, a contract prediction from ESPN that doesn't even directly correlate to Pickens would actually effectively end his time in Dallas after this season.

Quinnen Williams could get $30 million extension from Cowboys?

In an article discussing players who could be in line for earth-shattering contract extensions in the future, ESPN's Bill Barnwell mentioned Cowboys defensive tackle Quinnen Williams as a potential extension candidate.

Williams still has two years left on a four-year contract he signed with the New York Jets in 2023, but Barnwell believes Dallas could sign the star defender to a new deal worth $30 million annually next offseason.

The Cowboys traded Mazi Smith, a 2027 first-round pick, and a 2026 second-round pick for Williams at the 2025 trade deadline.

 "With the Cowboys having traded so much to acquire Williams, a new deal north of $30 million per year for the former Jets first-round pick seems inevitable," Barnwell wrote.

Williams didn't post prolific sack numbers in 2025, but the 28-year-old is still one of the best defensive tackles in football and the anchor of the Cowboys' defensive front. Williams has been selected for four straight Pro Bowls dating back to 2022, and was an immediate difference-maker for Dallas last year after arriving mid-season, tallying 32 quarterback pressures and 10 defensive stops in seven games with the Cowboys.

With a full offseason in Dallas, Williams should return to being a dominant force on the interior, and it'll be hard for the Cowboys not to sign him to a long-term extension if he makes a sizeable impact on Christian Parker's defense.

Though Dallas could sign Williams and Pickens to extensions next offseason and try to make it work financially, it would be tough, especially with Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb already on contracts near the top of their positions.

If Barnwell's prediction proves correct and the Cowboys reward Williams with a $30 million-per-year contract in 2027, it would likely seal Pickens' fate in Dallas.