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Cowboys WR George Pickens Holds Out After Eagles Loss, Demands Contract Extension Over Injury Concerns

Dallas, TX – September 13, 2025

The Dallas Cowboys face another storm after their Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Wide receiver George Pickens, locked in as the team’s WR2 behind CeeDee Lamb, has officially begun a holdout.

Sources confirm Pickens won’t participate in practices or games until progress is made on a new contract. His primary concern is avoiding injury while playing on an undervalued rookie deal set to expire soon.

The warning signs were already there in Week 1. Observers noted Pickens making what they called “business decisions” — moments where he avoided full-contact plays, a telltale sign of a player protecting himself in a contract year.

Dallas brought him in from the Steelers to complement CeeDee Lamb, not to replace him. But now, with Pickens stepping back, the pressure on Brandin Cooks and the rest of the receiving corps only grows.

Pickens’ contract currently pays him far below the market value of top wideouts. After watching stars across the league land mega extensions, the 24-year-old believes it’s time the Cowboys commit to him.

“I can’t risk my career without security,” a source close to Pickens said. “He wants to play. He wants to win. But until he’s protected, he’s not stepping back on the field.”

The Cowboys, already reeling from a division-opening loss, now find themselves with another headache. Dak Prescott loses his physical, contested-catch option, and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer faces a reshuffled passing attack.

Jerry Jones has dealt with high-profile contract disputes before, but whether he caves this time could define the Cowboys’ season. For Pickens, the stance is clear: until he’s paid, he’s protecting his future first.

Jets Offensive Coordinator Accuses Refs of Favoritism Toward Cowboys in Controversial Loss
New York, NY – October 6, 2025 Jets Offensive Coordinator Tanner Engstrand publicly criticized NFL officials after Sunday’s 37–22 overtime loss to the Dallas Cowboys, claiming multiple missed calls directly changed the outcome of the game. Engstrand submitted an official report to the league office highlighting three officiating errors that he called “unacceptable and damaging to the integrity of competition.” In the third quarter, a pass from Justin Fields to Garrett Wilson clearly struck the SkyCam cable, which by rule (Rule 8, Section 1, Article 4) should result in a dead ball and replay of the down. Referee Ron Torbert ruled it incomplete, forcing a Jets punt deep in Cowboys territory — a sequence Engstrand argued “robbed us of a touchdown opportunity.”   Later, in overtime, Cowboys defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. delivered a late hit on Fields after a throw — a textbook roughing the passer that went uncalled. The non-call led to a Jets punt and set up Dallas’s 64-yard game-winning field goal.   Finally, after Jake Ferguson’s fourth-quarter touchdown, Cowboys lineman Nate Thomas appeared to taunt a Jets player near the sideline. Officials ignored the unsportsmanlike conduct, allowing Dallas to keep favorable field position. Engstrand didn’t hold back after the game:“I’ve beaten the Cowboys before — they’re nothing special without help from the refs. What we saw tonight wasn’t football; it was manipulation,” he said. “If we let this slide, it’ll happen again.”   According to multiple reports (ESPN, Pro Football Network), the NFL is expected to review Torbert’s officiating crew for potential disciplinary action, citing misapplication of rules and missed fouls in key moments that heavily benefited Dallas.