CeeDee Lamb is practically begging Jerry Jones to pay George Pickens: Can Cowboys afford another $40M WR?

August 10, 2026 - 18:51

CeeDee Lamb is making his opinion very clear when it comes to George Pickens and the Dallas Cowboys. The star wide receiver is publicly urging team owner Jerry Jones to find a way to keep Pickens in Dallas beyond this season. Lamb's message is simple: the front office needs to "figure it out" and get a long-term deal done. It is a bold statement from the team's top pass catcher, and it puts even more pressure on Jones to open the checkbook.

Jones, for his part, has not shut the door. He has hinted that he is open to the idea of keeping Pickens, but the money is the problem. Pickens is playing on the final year of his rookie deal and is looking for a massive payday. With Lamb already earning a huge contract, adding another wide receiver at that price would be a heavy financial lift. The Cowboys are already tight against the salary cap, and they have other needs on the offensive line and defense.

The real question is whether Dallas can afford to pay two receivers top-tier money. Lamb is making around $34 million a year. Pickens is likely looking for something in the $25 to $30 million range. That would put nearly $60 million a year into just two pass catchers. That is a lot of money for any team, even one with the Cowboys' revenue. It would force the front office to make tough choices elsewhere, likely in free agency and on the defensive side of the ball.

Lamb's public push is unusual. Most players stay out of the front office's business, but he is clearly invested in keeping Pickens around. He sees the chemistry on the field and wants to build on it. Jones has always loved having star players, and he has shown a willingness to pay them. But even he has limits. The next few weeks will tell if the Cowboys can make the numbers work or if Pickens will be playing somewhere else next season.