Stephen Jones Abruptly Ends Media Session after George Pickens’ Contract Question

Stephen Jones is assisting his father, Jerry Jones, to improve their Dallas Cowboys through the draft and free agency.

Stephen Jones Abruptly Ends Media Session after George Pickens’ Contract Question

Stephen Jones and George Pickens (Image via Imago/Underdog/X)

In Short
  • Stephen Jones ended a media session abruptly after being asked about George Pickens' contract situation.
  • The Cowboys are considering placing a franchise tag on Pickens, who had a career-high 1,429 yards last season.
  • Stephen Jones emphasized the need to improve the defense and support new coordinator Christian Parker.

Entering the 2026 offseason, Dallas Cowboys Executive Vice President Stephen Jones knows his father, Jerry Jones, has to make an important decision on George Pickens‘ future.

The latter’s career-high 1,429 yards are enough to warrant a substantial pay raise. Even if there is a sliver of doubt, his team-leading 93 receptions should cement his status as someone who is integral to the success of their offense.

Naturally, Pickens also knows that all too well, and so will his agent, who will try to coax the Joneses into handing his client a fat check. But the owners are not inclined to hand the Georgia alum that much money based on just one productive season.

After all, Jerry Jones did not want to pay Micah Parsons over the odds despite producing four stellar campaigns. With rumors of a possible franchise tag on George Pickens, All City DLLS reporter Clarence Hill Jr. asked Stephen Jones if there were some frustrations with this situation.

I think every situation is different. We’ve been in a lot of different ones, we’ve had a lot of players we have franchised over the years, and every situation is different.

Stephen Jones replied

As a follow-up question, Hill Jr. then asked the younger Jones why there seems to be a hold-up in placing the franchise tag on the wide receiver.

We’re leaning in that direction.

Stephen Jones replied

This was as vague an answer as could be, and the 61-year-old laughed and abruptly ended the press scrum. It seems he did not want to dive deeper into any more questions involving the 24-year-old pass catcher.

Stephen and Jerry Jones open to ‘busting the budget’ to improve defensive talent

A while earlier, Stephen Jones admitted that the Cowboys were leaning towards franchise tagging, and with that, they would be done sorting the team’s offense. Hearing this, Clarence Hill Jr. asked him about Jerry Jones’ recent comments about ‘busting the budget.’

Jerry Jones and Stephen Jones
Jerry Jones and Stephen Jones (Image via CBS Sports)

I think he is very driven, I think we are all very driven to do what we really need to do on the defensive side of the ball… Everything’s different, Clarence. There is no set situation as to how you go about doing something.

Stephen Jones said

From his answer, it is evident that they are aware of the problem facing the defense. Jerry Jones had hoped his trade deadline moves from last season were enough to solve the problem.

Once it became clear that former defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus was not doing a good job, they fired him, too. Now, with new coordinator Christian Parker at the helm, it seems they collectively believe that the unit needs further reinforcements.

Stephen Jones and Jerry Jones committed to helping new DC

After poaching Christian Parker from the Philadelphia Eagles, Stephen Jones and his father, Jerry Jones, knew there were going to be some schematic changes. On that note, Clarence Hill Jr. asked the former if they had any plans heading into free agency.

There’s gonna be guys who fit, who played really well for us last year. Then there’s gonna be other guys who might not be as natural a fit. There may be a better player out there that we may choose to go with.

Stephen Jones replied

The former Arkansas Razorbacks linebacker is possibly pointing towards an overhaul on defense. After all, they have to have personnel who fit with Parker’s scheme. Last season, former cornerback Trevon Diggs expressed frustrations over the change in schemes.

It could be that ‘underachieving’ on last year’s goals may have led the Joneses to believe that they need to build a team for the coach leading it, rather than force Parker to perform with whoever he has at his disposal.

Also Read: