The Dallas Cowboys are taking the expected step: they will place the franchise tag on wide receiver George Pickens, securing his rights at least through the 2026 season, sources told ESPN.
The tag guarantees Pickens roughly $28 million for 2026, though a long-term deal remains a possibility. The Cowboys met with Pickens’ representatives Thursday at the NFL scouting combine, but the discussions were described as broad rather than detailed.
Earlier in the week, executive vice president Stephen Jones said the team was “leaning” toward using the tag, and head coach Brian Schottenheimer expressed hope that Pickens could remain with the Cowboys long-term.
Pickens’ first season in Dallas could hardly have gone better. Acquired from the Pittsburgh Steelers along with a 2027 sixth-round pick in exchange for a 2026 third-rounder and a 2027 fifth-rounder, Pickens posted career highs in catches (93), yards (1,429), and touchdowns (nine). He played in every game, earned a Pro Bowl nod, and was named second-team All-Pro.
The 24-year-old had five games with over 100 receiving yards, including two while CeeDee Lamb was sidelined with a high-ankle sprain. He set a Cowboys record with five games of at least 130 receiving yards and a touchdown, and his 13 receptions of 25+ yards and 73 first-down catches ranked among the NFL’s best. Pickens quickly developed chemistry with quarterback Dak Prescott, echoing Prescott’s early connections with Lamb and former Pro Bowler Amari Cooper.
Locking Pickens into a long-term deal, however, could be complicated. The Cowboys already pay Lamb $34 million annually with $100 million guaranteed. While they could match or exceed that for Pickens, cap considerations and roster-building priorities may limit their flexibility. Dallas already carries the NFL’s highest-paid player in Prescott ($60 million), the highest-paid interior lineman in Tyler Smith ($23.4 million), and Lamb as the third-highest-paid receiver. Extending Pro Bowl kicker Brandon Aubrey, a restricted free agent, could further impact salary allocations. Meanwhile, the Cowboys must also address a defense that allowed a franchise-record 511 points in 2025.
Pickens’ situation also carries added intrigue given his agent, David Mulugheta, who also represents former Cowboys pass rusher Micah Parsons. Last year, contract talks between Parsons and the team broke down despite an initial agreement, leading to Parsons’ trade to the Green Bay Packers and a $188 million, four-year deal with $120 million guaranteed. Mulugheta has maintained that past issues with the team won’t affect Pickens’ negotiations.
If a long-term extension cannot be reached, Pickens could theoretically follow a similar offseason and training camp path as Parsons, participating in team meetings but withholding practice until a deal is finalized.
This will mark the Cowboys’ 11th use of the franchise tag and the eighth player to receive it, with Pickens joining the ranks of Anthony Spencer, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Prescott, who have all been tagged.
