Dallas Cowboys wideout George Pickens is nearing the end of his rookie contract. He is set to hit free agency after the 2025 season and based on his breakout production this year, he’s likely going to hold out for a big contract.The former Pittsburgh Steelers draft pick has thrived in his first season with Dallas, already setting career highs with 1,142 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. However, Thursday night’s performance served as a reminder of why the Cowboys may be cautious about handing him a massive long-term deal.The 24-year-old wideout finished the Cowboys’ 44-30 loss to the Detroit Lions on Thursday with five catches for 37 yards. While that stat line falls short of what Cowboys fans have come to expect from Pickens this season, the more concerning issue was his visible lack of effort on multiple plays and an overall appearance of disinterest throughout the game.These were some of the same concerns that played a role in Pittsburgh’s decision to move on from him, and now many NFL fans are urging the Cowboys to pay attention to those warning signs ahead of future contract talks:"Pickens is lazy. Should not get a contract. Tonight is a huge red flag. The laziness was unbelievable. Tag and trade him," one fan said."Can you really trust Pickins, to sign him to a large contract, when he provides an effort like that in a prove-it year? If u try and franchise him, he holds out and creates a circus at the start of next season. Cowboys in a tough spot," another fan said."Great offense that spent almost $100 million on TWO players meaning the other $179 has to be split on the 51 guys plus you want to keep Pickens for $30 plus next year? Math doesn’t work," a fan said.Here are some more reactions from fans."I would trade Bland and Pickens. The Pickens you saw last night will be the one you want to give 100 million?" one fan said."Dallas lost because they never even showed up to this game! Lamb gets hurt & Pickens quit on just about every route he ran," another fan said."Too many mistakes on offense. Pickens' body language and effort were horrible tonight. OTs were a big problem. Schotty way too conservative," a fan said.Pickens will make $3.65 million this season as he wraps up the final year of his four-year, $6.7 million rookie contract. If the Cowboys hope to keep him in Dallas, they’ll either need to work out a long-term extension or apply the franchise tag for the 2026 season.According to Spotrac, the former second-round pick is projected to command a four-year, $125 million deal, which would average $31.2 million per season.Richard Sherman calls out George Pickens for poor effort against the LionsThe Dallas Cowboys’ loss to the Detroit Lions on Thursday was a tough one for fans. The team entered the game on a three-game winning streak and looking to climb back into the NFC playoff race, but a flat performance across the board now leaves them needing a miracle to reach the postseason.One player drawing heavy criticism after the loss is wide receiver George Pickens. He was singled out during the postgame analysis by former NFL star Richard Sherman."The big story here is George Pickens. Throughout the game, especially late, he just looked uninterested," Sherman said. "And that’s something you can’t have if you want to be a superstar, if you want to be the best receiver in the National Football League. You can never disengage. You can’t just disappear in these games or you’re not going to have an impact."You’re the guy. CeeDee Lamb is out. That’s unacceptable. If you’re the Dallas Cowboys and you’re thinking about paying him big-time receiver money, $40 million, you’ve got to look at this tape and ask, ‘Is this a guy we can trust?’ I don’t know."There’s no denying George Pickens’ ability, yet as Sherman and many analysts have pointed out since that Thursday night performance, doubts about his consistency and focus continue to linger.