The Dallas Cowboys‘ front office, particularly Jerry Jones, may not be worried about George Pickens, but one NFL analyst believes paying the young receiver would be a colossal mistake.

After an underwhelming performance against the Detroit Lions, to say the least, Jones has maintained confidence about a possible extension next season. The 24-year-old signed a four-year rookie contract worth approximately $6.7 million in 2022, which ends next year, making him an unrestricted free agent. But FOX analyst Mark Schlereth was strictly against Pickens getting a contract extension.

He expressed his concerns on The 105.3 The Fan podcast: “I think that Dallas is still in it. They have got their own issue over there, playing wide receiver for them, so they need to address that. There’s no way, by the way, just on a tangent, there is no way that I would pay George Pickens.”

Schlereth continued, “I wish I could buy him for what he’s worth and sell him for what he thinks he’s worth. There is no way I would invest a dime into that guy going on beyond this season.”

In the match against the Lions on December 5, Pickens caught just five of nine targets for 37 yards, marking his lowest total this season. But Jones remained positive and addressed the situation on Tuesday.

“Just so I’m real clear about it, I don’t have any concern about the debate about what George Pickens did or didn’t do in that game,” Jones said, via 105.3 The Fan.

“He brings everything to the table to frankly live with what’s going on (with) this type of criticism.”

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Head coach Brian Schottenheimer also shared his thoughts after a disappointing performance by Pickens.

Brian Schottenheimer opens up on George Pickens’ performance against the Lions

Apart from just 5-for-9 receptions, Pickens also fumbled the ball once in the 44-30 loss against the Lions. After the game, Schottenheimer gave his opinion on Pickens’ performance.

“We talked a little bit about it,” Schottenheimer said. “And again, he’s just, in his words, he goes, ‘Hey Shotty, I didn’t play my best game.’ I think that, unfortunately, none of us played our best game. So that’s real. But I don’t worry about George and his love for football and playing this game.”

Schottenheimer’s words reflected his confidence in Pickens, and he deserves the credit for taking responsibility.

The Cowboys now sit second in the NFC East with a 6-6-1 record. Additionally, the loss against the Lions meant they are now three games out of the NFC Wild Card. They will now host the Minnesota Vikings, who will come into this game after their first win in five games.