Cowboys' Jones aiming to keep Pickens with team for 'a long time'

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones appears eager to get a long-term deal in place for pending free agent George Pickens.

"I'm talking to George all the time by virtue of my excitement for him," Jones said when asked about contract talks, according to team reporter Tommy Yarrish.

He added, "I'm looking forward to getting things worked out so George can be a Cowboy a long time."

Pickens, whom the Cowboys acquired in a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers last offseason, is in line to be one of the top free agents available after a career season in which he recorded 1,429 receiving yards, third most in the NFL. His 93 receptions and nine touchdowns were also personal bests.

Signing Pickens to a long-term deal would guarantee that the Cowboys have a formidable receiving duo for the foreseeable future. Five-time Pro Bowler CeeDee Lamb is under contract through 2028.

Pickens said Monday that he "would love to" return to Dallas but needs to "wait it out and hope for the best." If a new agreement isn't struck before free agency, the team could opt to franchise tag him. The wide receiver franchise tag is projected to be worth $28.8 million, according to Over the Cap.

The Cowboys have faced scrutiny in the past for their negotiations with franchise players. Dallas traded star pass-rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers in August after contract talks with Jones turned sour.