Jerry Jones’ personal 'vendetta' on George Pickens’ agent put Cowboys WR in an impossible position

George Pickens delivered the best season of his career in 2025, recording 93 receptions, 1,429 yards, nine touchdowns, and his first Pro Bowl. But the Cowboys still wouldn't give him a long-term deal. 

They were open to making Pickens the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL, but they held back due to his ongoing off-field and discipline issues. However, as more time passes, Jerry Jones is raising the bar of his expectations around him. 

Speaking with Jori Epstein of Yahoo Sports at the league's May meetings in Orlando, Jerry Jones made clear that Year 2 with the Cowboys comes with a steeper price of admission. "We will expect more earlier," Jones said. 

He added, “He will expect more. That he not only build on where he got to last year, the preparation will be out there happening as a major part in any series or any game. So I think from the get-go, he will have more to give in the plans of what we're doing early and late in the season."

That's a tough spot to be in. Pickens wanted a long-term extension this offseason. Dallas said no. The Cowboys made clear they had no plans to negotiate a multiyear deal before the July 15 deadline, leaving Pickens to play out the season on the one-year non-exclusive franchise tag worth $27.3 million. 

But the deeper issue isn't Pickens' production, it's who's in his corner. Pickens is represented by David Mulugheta of Athletes First, the same agent who represented Micah Parsons during his messy split from Dallas. 

Jones tried to bypass Mulugheta entirely during Parsons' negotiations, and he is using the same playbook now. Jones publicly suggested Pickens would save money by negotiating directly with him instead of using an agent. Stephen A. Smith called the comments insulting and questioned why Jones only seems to have a problem with Mulugheta.

Former Cowboys wideout Patrick Crayton recently connected the dots and said, "It's almost like there's no intentions to get a long-term deal because they've already said they're not going to negotiate a long-term deal underneath this franchise tag. That's already key right there when they're telling you that. And being that, I'm not going to lie, Mr. Jones probably do have a vendetta against Mulugheta, his agent.”

Former #DallasCowboys WR Patrick Crayton on the advice he'd give George Pickens: pic.twitter.com/MXyuJN8iMv

After Jones refused to work with Mulugheta, Parsons forced a trade to Green Bay and signed a deal worth $46.5 million per year. Pickens is now staring down the same wall

Dallas shut down extension talks and confirmed they will not negotiate a deal before the July 15 deadline. This is the impossible position. 

Pickens can beat every cornerback in the league and post another career year, yet still leave 2026 without a long-term contract because of a beef between his owner and his agent that started long before he ever put on a Cowboys jersey.

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