Don’t take it personally: Dallas Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith connects with George Pickens over Jerry Jones drama

The Dallas Cowboys suffered without Emmitt Smith. They needed him badly during their losses.His presence equaled Super Bowl wins. And his absence? You know what we mean. His absence was prolonged because he wanted to be paid for his worth.The contract dispute drama between him and the Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is world-famous. But something of that sort has been historically happening for decades together…First, Herschel Walker [1991]. Then Emmitt Smith [1993]. Then Micah Parsons [2025]. And now, George Pickens [2026].But here’s the catch: Emmitt Smith has a little message/secret call for George Pickens. And it’s nothing but surprise!

Emmitt Smith says George Pickens has entered pure business with the Dallas Cowboys

Backstory: George Pickens wanted a contract extension or a trade.

The Dallas Cowboys franchise-tagged him instead, for $27.3 million for the 2026 season.Now, what did the legendary running back Emmitt Smith have to say?“I would say to George Pickens right now, you just ran into the business side of sports, period,” Emmitt Smith said on NFL Network’s The Insiders. “It’s nothing else but pure business.Try not to take it personally. I know you will, because I would take it personally, too.

But if you do, shuffle that energy into your performance. Because I think your performance itself is going to speak a lot louder than anything else.”Pickens recorded 93 receptions for 1,429 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns in 17 games last year. The year before that, he played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he recorded 59 receptions for 900 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns in 14 games.

Super Bowl champion Emmitt Smith wants George Pickens to control emotions

George Pickens’ production has peaked since he changed his franchise.

But there’s something that worries everyone. CBS Sports’ Bryan DeArdo put it into words: giving a franchise tag to George Pickens is like creating a recipe for disaster. Because he is known for self-sabotage when things don’t go according to his way. For this particular problem, Emmitt Smith offered a solution.“Allow your mood and your focus to be on dominating as a wide receiver. So, you can position yourself for free agency, or position yourself to be traded, or position yourself to give yourself an opportunity and better options for next year.And that’s a good thing,” Smith said. “And it also sends the right message that you are worthy of the dollars that you want. It sends a message to the marketplace that you are worthy of not only playing at the professional level, but you work at it, you own your craft, and you’re a great team player.Any other 29 or 30 teams will appreciate having that player on their team. If the [Dallas] Cowboys choose to trade you, or you choose to go into free agency, whatever decisions that you make going forward, it puts you in a better light.And I think anybody can appreciate that. You’re still young. You've got many years left. And you have an opportunity to set yourself apart.”