Cowboys say no long-term deal for WR George Pickens (4/23 Hour 2)

The PFT Live episode dives into the Cowboys' decision not to offer George Pickens a long-term contract, opting instead to apply the franchise tag for 2026, which will pay him $27.298 million. Hosts Mike Florio and Chris Simms analyze the strategic and financial reasoning behind the move, highlighting the $15 million gap between Pickens' tag value and the top of the market ($42.15 million), as well as the team’s desire to retain flexibility and evaluate their roster. They speculate that the Cowboys may be using the tag as a chess move—potentially setting up a one-year deal with incentives to avoid a third tag, similar to past NFL strategies. The discussion also touches on the broader implications of player agency, with concerns that Pickens’ representation by agent David Mulugeta may be a factor in the Cowboys’ reluctance to negotiate. The hosts contrast this with past cases like Dak Prescott and Saquon Barkley, where franchise tags were used as leverage. Later, the conversation shifts to draft-day anticipation, focusing on quarterback Ty Simpson, who is projected to be a second-round pick despite his high-profile presence in Pittsburgh. The hosts debate his chances, citing concerns over his size, limited experience, and the NFL’s current bias against smaller, one-year starters. They also mock the poorly received NFL movie *Draft Day*, criticizing its implausible plot and lack of realism. The episode closes with a lighthearted look at draft-day traditions, team draft rooms, and the chaos of the NFL draft process.