Thursday marked a rare down night in terms of production for George Pickens. His debut season with the Cowboys has overwhelmingly been a success, and a major financial windfall is expected. 
No known talks on a long-term deal have taken place yet, which is an understandable stance from both sides. Pickens remains on track for free agency at this point, although it remains to be seen if he will reach the open market. A recent report indicated the Cowboys would be willing to use the franchise tag to retain Pickens for 2026.
Tagging the Georgia product will cost roughly $28MM for next year. Dallas would need to take on that figure as a cap charge unless a multi-year pact could later be worked out. In spite of that, ESPN’s Todd Archer and Jeremy Fowler write the Cowboys do not appear to be “afraid” of the cost of applying the tag in this case. Dallas has taken that route several teams over the years, and it would come as little surprise if ensuring Pickens remains in place were to be a major 2026 priority.
Of course, a long-term deal close to the top of the receiver market could be the target from Pickens’ camp if his career year finishes on a high note. Nine receivers are attached to an AAV of $30MM or more, and the former second-rounder could certainly look to join that group. Pickens has been a focal point for the Cowboys on offense this year, averaging 15.1 yards per reception and scoring eight touchdowns.
That production will set him up for a major raise compared to his rookie contract in one way or another. Still, the Cowboys could be hesitant about a long-term commitment in this case. Pickens drew criticism for off-the-field matters like punctuality during his tenure with the Steelers, and it appears they have followed him to Dallas. Per the ESPN report, the 24-year-old has been fined by the Cowboys for being late at times this season.
Overall, the matter is not considered a major issue, with quarterback Dak Prescott‘s leadership cited as a factor for why Pickens has not been involved in any controversies so far for Dallas. Provided that remains the case down the stretch, team and player will be willing to negotiate a big-ticket contract. Things would certainly become complicated in the event of a tag – given the fact it could lead to absences during the spring and training camp – but for now that looks to be a path the Cowboys are fully prepared to go down.
Makes sense. You don’t want to let a guy go after looking like he’s looked, but I can understand not wanting to go long-term with him in a hurry.
Plus Jerry loves using the franchise tag.
My thoughts exactly
Jerruh lacking da liquidity!
Pickens AND Williams?
Good luck with that
Tag and trade candidate
Wouldn’t be surprised to see someone with a rookie QB contract look to deal for him
Maye and Patriots to pair opposite Diggs
Stroud and Texans to upgrade opposite Collins (could use Higgins and /or Noel as pieces going back to Dallas)
Ward and Titans to pair with Ridley
Shough and Saints to pair with Ridley
Nix and Broncos to give them the WR they’ve been looking for
Young panthers to pair with McMillian and Legette
Also wouldn’t be shocked if
Allen and Bills go get Allen a legit #1
Lawrence and Jacksonville to pair with Thomas Jr.
Raiders and whoever QB is to pair with Bowers
Darnold and Seattle to pair with JSN
Cardinals and whoever QB is to pair with Harrison Jr.
I think the Titans will rid of Ridley
I don’t see Pickens playing on the tag in 2026. And if he does, it will be another Micah Parsons-like circus leading up to the season: hold-outs, hold-ins, tons of shots fired in the media. Jerry, who is a narcissist, will be so happy with the attention. Like a pig in slop.
I’m sure pickens will accept whatever he’s given quietly and graciously:)
Dallas constantly getting themselves into bad spots. Crap defense yet paying 2 top of the market WRs and a 33 yo Dak? Remember they have to pay 2 30 year old DTs now too
I don’t remember them having to pay 2 30 yr old DT’s. Who are you talking about?
Q Williams will be 29 next year and goes from 8 to 20+ million, 1 Yr. He needs a new deal or he walks after Jerry gave up a 1 and 2 for him! Kenny clark will be 31 and goes from 2 million hit to 20 million and 20 million. They could let Clark walk as a free agent with no compensation. Both need new deals to fit the cap with pickens, javonte…just to stand pat. They’re both really good DTs but it was a “now” move for a team with an 8% playoff chance and poor contract handling skills.
Clark is 2 million against the cap this year, it jumps to 20 million next year but they can cut him with no cap hit in 26
Let’s “try” to be a little more honest. Q is 27 years old; he’ll be 28 this month (December). He’s not 30 years old this year, he’s not 30 years old next year. He’s not 30 until his contract ends in two more seasons (mid December of 2027).
Prescott is 32 years old and shows no signs of slowing down.
The defense was indeed historically bad to start the season, but they were dealing with a host of injuries. Six key players were added to the defense for game 10 (including Q and Logan Wilson). So they won’t be standing pat, this defense will be dramatically better next year. The expectation is that they’ll spend both of their first round picks in April on the defense as well.
They have a number of contracts that they can restructure to fit everyone under the cap. For a change, they will aggressively improve the roster for the next few seasons.
I don’t know. What has the franchise gm and Jerry done to trust they can negotiate well? They botched Parsons, 26 year old all pro force. They butchered the maxi smith pick, a number 1 that they added as a throw in with another 1 for expensive though good veterans who need restructures. Dak and Ceedees they got boxed in to paying top dollar.
I don’t think they’ll be worse but I definitely don’t see them able to acquire any big names players. Their entire secondary has been hurt for 2-3 seasons now… Those guys are all of a sudden going to be healthy? Maybe. Dunno.
Iae, I get it. Good luck! That’s why we watch em and NFL is king.
Did they botch the Parsons extension? Yeah. However, the Cowboys could not stop the run against good teams with Micah. We’ll see if Kenny Clark, Q Williams, and the extra first rounder is a good or possibly great recovery to finally fix a perpetual problem.
I don’t know why you would cherry pick Mazi Smith from their draft history over say the last 10 years. Other than that pick, they tend to draft pro bowlers in the first round. Are the Eagles a bad drafting team because they drafted Carson Wentz number two overall? Or because they took Jalen Reagor a pick before the Vikings took Justin Jefferson? FWIW, Mazi was drafted with the number 26 pick in 2023. And to date, the 2023 draft has not been particularly strong.
They acquired their big name players in Pickens, Kenny Clark, and Q Williams. All three have performed well, or very well, thus far. As for the secondary, Diggs will most likely be cut in the off season with no big hit. Bland, after playing in 34 games his first two seasons, only played in 7 last year. After starting this year banged up, he seems healthy now. Carson has only played in 6 games this year and last, but hopefully will finish the year on the field. Revel oozes first round talent but an ACL injury in his last college season. He’s just now getting gameday action. None of these players are dealing with chronic career threatening injuries.
Ezeiruaku looks to be a quality RDE midway thru his rookie year. Overshown has just returned from his second devastating knee injury. Still looks very good at LBr. Add a couple of first round picks in April (DE, LB, and/or S) and this is easily a middle of the pack Defense.
Add that to a top offense and I’m wearing shades.
And yes, the NFL is king (they just need to stop the greed and ditch the overseas games).
Carson wentz was the MVP favorite before acl injury in their Superbowl year. Even bringing him up with Mazi is disingenuous. Enjoy your franchise, clearly you’re behind them and Jerry. Well see how it pans out.
You’re right, comparing a player drafted #2 overall to one drafted at #26 is not fair. The Reagor pick at #21 (with Justin Jefferson at #22) is a much fairer comparison.
We will see. Ciao
another ringless diva wr about to become a massive locker room headache
Dallas is the perfect place for Pickens.
You get to be a star without having to worry about winning.
That should create a nice holdout, hold in, crybaby scenario. He’ll throw a tantrum and will continue to dog routes and show crap effort, but he will also demand top dollar because. A terrible character guy that good organizations skip. Talent ain’t worth the issues.
He was starting to dog routes against Detroit