Cowboys Plan to Franchise Tag George Pickens as Contract Talks Loom
The Dallas Cowboys are moving forward with plans to place the franchise tag on wide receiver George Pickens, according to reports from multiple sources. The decision comes after Pickens delivered a breakout season in his first year with the team, catching 93 passes for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns.
Cowboys Chief Operating Officer Stephen Jones confirmed the team’s intentions during the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
“We want him here,” Jones said. “We think the world of him. We’ve franchised players before, obviously we want him here working with the team. It will work itself out in the coming weeks.”
What the Franchise Tag Means
The franchise tag will prevent Pickens from hitting free agency on March 11 and lock him into a one-year deal worth approximately $28 million for the 2026 season. The Cowboys have until March 3 to officially apply the tag.
Once tagged, Dallas and Pickens have until July 15 to negotiate a long-term contract. If the two sides can’t reach an agreement by that deadline, Pickens will play the 2026 season under the franchise tag terms.
Pickens Seeking $30 Million Per Year
According to reports, Pickens and his representatives are seeking a contract worth at least $30 million per season. That figure would place him among the top eight highest-paid receivers in the NFL, alongside players like Garrett Wilson ($32.5 million average annual value), Amon-Ra St. Brown ($30 million) and Tee Higgins ($28.75 million).
The 24-year-old receiver has positioned himself for a major payday after finishing third in the NFL in receiving yards during the 2025 season. His performance represented a significant step forward from his three years with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he showed flashes of talent but struggled with consistency.
Financial Complications for Dallas
The Cowboys face a challenging financial landscape as they consider Pickens’ long-term future. The team already pays wide receiver CeeDee Lamb $34 million per year, and quarterback Dak Prescott earns $60 million annually. Adding another receiver at $30 million or more would put significant strain on the salary cap.
ESPN’s Ari Meirov noted the difficulty of the situation on social media.
“The battle for the Cowboys with George Pickens will be the idea of paying top dollar for another WR (CeeDee Lamb already makes $34M per year) to go along with a $60M-per-year QB in Dak Prescott,” Meirov wrote. “It’s also safe to assume Pickens won’t be satisfied with the franchise tag, so this is just the beginning of all this.”
Questions About Trust and Commitment
Despite Pickens’ on-field success, questions remain about whether one strong season is enough to warrant a massive long-term investment. ESPN’s Damien Woody expressed skepticism about rushing into a big contract.
“I would tag him,” Woody said. “I would basically say, show me again because I’m not dismissing the years he spent in Pittsburgh. It’s one thing to do it in a contract year, and you put up that type of season. I still need to see you do it again before I fully commit long-term to a player like George Pickens.”
Pickens’ reputation from his Pittsburgh days continues to shadow him. The Steelers traded him to Dallas last March for a third-round pick, suggesting concerns about his fit within their organization.
The Cowboys acquired Pickens with the hope that a change of scenery and coaching would unlock his potential. Under offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, the gamble paid off. Pickens earned his first Pro Bowl selection and emerged as a reliable target in Dallas’ passing attack.
What Happens Next
The Cowboys have just over a week to officially place the franchise tag on Pickens. From there, negotiations will begin in earnest as both sides work toward a long-term deal.
If talks break down, Pickens could play the 2026 season under the tag and then hit free agency in 2027. That scenario would likely mean the end of his time in Dallas, as players rarely stay with teams after playing on the franchise tag.
For now, the Cowboys have made their position clear: they want Pickens to remain part of their offense. Whether they can afford to keep him long-term while maintaining their other high-priced contracts remains the central question of their offseason.
