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Dallas, Texas – February 5, 2026 The 2026 season for the Dallas Cowboys started with internal tension, especially from quarterback Dak Prescott. After a disappointing 7-9-1 season in 2025, Prescott and many other players had to take pay cuts to help the team keep some key players. However, the front office’s decision to sign wide receiver George Pickens to a massive $31 million contract has left Prescott and his teammates feeling upset. This move has only worsened the Cowboys’ already tight salary cap situation, especially with Prescott and CeeDee Lamb’s big contracts taking up a significant portion of it. George Pickens, who had an explosive 2025 season with over 1,400 yards and 9 touchdowns, was rewarded with a record $31 million contract. He earned Second-Team All-Pro honors and made the Pro Bowl. This deal made him one of the highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL, but the decision left Prescott frustrated. "We’re facing financial struggles, some players have had to leave, and others, including myself, took pay cuts to stay. Why the exception for him? This just doesn’t seem fair to the other guys on the team," Prescott expressed. The Cowboys' front office is facing difficulties in maintaining financial balance. They’ve used the franchise tag tool to temporarily keep Pickens, which Prescott sees as unjust. The franchise tag allows a team to keep a free agent for one year, paying them the highest salary based on the previous year’s top five contracts for that position. For wide receivers in 2026, the franchise tag is estimated to range from $28 million to $29 million, which means Pickens will receive the highest salary at his position for the year. However, this is only a temporary solution, and the Cowboys will still need to address the long-term financial issues. "I truly don’t understand the decision the front office made. We’re facing a lot of financial difficulties, some players have had to leave, and others, including myself, agreed to take pay cuts to stay. Everyone is working hard for the team, but why is there an exception? This is really unfair to the others on the team." – Dak Prescott The Cowboys’ locker room is tense, with growing dissatisfaction. Prescott isn’t the only one who feels frustrated by the decision. Other players have expressed concerns about the perceived unfairness in how the team is handling its finances. Will this issue affect the team’s spirit and performance in the upcoming season? Despite the financial disagreements, both Prescott and Pickens performed impressively on the field. Prescott led the Cowboys’ offense with 4,552 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions in 2025. Meanwhile, Pickens had an outstanding season, proving he deserved the massive contract. However, the ongoing financial issue remains the biggest question mark for the Cowboys going into the new season. This situation not only affects the Cowboys but could also spark larger debates throughout the NFL. Teams may face tough financial decisions regarding how to keep their stars while building a strong roster. The use of the franchise tag to retain key players may be a temporary fix, but it raises questions about the long-term future of these teams. The financial battle for the Dallas Cowboys is far from over. While the front office has opted to use the franchise tag to keep Pickens, this decision has created significant discord within the team. Prescott and his teammates feel the unfairness and are worried about the future financial stability of the team. Whether the Cowboys can overcome these challenges and have a successful 2026 season remains to be seen.