FEBRUARY 8: Recent reporting has suggested that, whether he plays on the franchise tag or on a new, multiyear contract, Pickens will remain in Dallas for at least 2026. But it is still possible that 2025 may have been Pickens’ only season with the Cowboys.
While confirming that the club will slap Pickens with the franchise tag, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network (video link) says the team could explore a tag-and-trade scenario. Such a move would obviously weaken the Cowboys’ WR corps but would represent a good value proposition considering they would likely recoup a better draft pick than the third-rounder they dealt to the Steelers to acquire Pickens last year. Plus, it would keep a second high-end receiver contract off the books and allow Dallas to reinvest elsewhere.
Like Parsons, Pickens is represented by agent David Mulugheta, whose exclusion from the Jones-Parsons negotiations was a contributing factor in the trade that sent the star pass rusher to the Packers. Rapoport and others have speculated that Mulugheta’s presence is a wrinkle that could complicate extension talks between Pickens and the Cowboys.
FEBRUARY 7: George Pickens‘ stellar showing in 2025 has no doubt provided a major boost to his free agent stock. A trip to the open market continues to look unlikely, however. 
The Cowboys have a history of using the franchise tag, and applying it to Pickens has long loomed as a possibility for the 2026 offseason. Signs continue to point in the direction of the one-year tender being used in this case. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Dallas is indeed expected to tag Pickens.
Franchise tag values have not been finalized for 2026 at this point, but a relatively narrow range regarding next year’s salary cap recently emerged. The tag price for receivers is currently set to check in at nearly $29MM. That figure will be guaranteed if/when Pickens receives the tag. That would of course leave the door open to negotiations on a long-term deal.
Both sides in this case have been mentioned as willing to explore a deal lasting beyond 2026 based on the success of Pickens’ first Cowboys season. According to Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, there is a “mutual interest” for an extension to be worked out. Harris notes Pickens’ issues with tardiness for team meetings – something which became a talking point during his three-year Steelers tenure – carried over to Dallas at times during the 2025 season. Owner Jerry Jones downplayed the matter during an interview with Harris, though, and attention will increasingly turn to the matter of contract talks.
It was confirmed earlier this week the Cowboys have yet to begin extension negotiations with Pickens’ camp. Dallas has a well-documented history under Jones when it comes to high-profile talks taking longer than many feel they should. The Micah Parsons episode of 2025 was an extreme example of how things can spiral over time when neither side budges during an extended period. In the case of Pickens, a decision on the franchise tag will need to made by March 3.
“I’m talking to George all the time by virtue of my excitement for him,” Jones said of the 24-year-old (via the Cowboys’ website). “He’s better than, as far as what he contributed to our team, showing the potential that he could contribute. I’m looking forward to getting things worked out so George can be a Cowboy a long time.”
The receiver market topped $40MM per season last year when Ja’Marr Chase signed his Bengals extension. He and Justin Jefferson comfortably lead the way in terms of guaranteed money at the position. Pickens is a candidate for a massive raise beginning in 2026 no matter what, but a long-term deal would ensure far greater earnings than the $8.78MM the former second-round pick collected on his rookie pact. A new contract averaging at least $30MM annually was the aim for Pickens and his camp when he arrived in Dallas and elected not to pursue an extension right away.
That decision is set to pay off. Pickens enjoyed a career year in 2025, securing a top-eight finish leaguewide in receptions (93), yards (1,429) and touchdowns (nine). Based on his age and instant chemistry with quarterback Dak Prescott, Pickens profiles as a logical candidate for a major investment. On the other hand, Dallas already has one monster WR pact on the books in the form of CeeDee Lamb. He and Prescott are set to represent substantial cap charges on offense for years to come.
The Cowboys have a number of other key decisions to make with their other pending free agents (such as running back Javonte Williams, with whom the team has been in contact). Among the easiest ones Dallas faces, however, is using the tag to keep Pickens from departing. Players who receive the tender have until July 15 to agree to a long-term contract and avoid playing out the season on the tag.
Rory Parks contributed to this post.
The perfect cowboy. Talented, underachiever, an undisciplined baby and borderline personality disorder.
Most predictable move of the off-season
I am not a Cowboys fan and I’m not doubting the undisciplined and personality comments, but he did have a pretty nice year this year. Can he continue that AFTER he gets paid? That’s what I want to see.
Nope. As soon as he sees someone else get more $$$, he will pout and act out. Cut him loose while you can. He’s a great layer, when he feels like it.
Underachiever? He finally had a decent qb this year and had an all-pro year. He still 24 years old..Men mature at different rates. He had 1 issue with being late this year that’s it. That shows some growth. His get off looks lazy because he uses that to his advantage. And personality disorder? I’m not a physcologist but it seems you should be one if you are diagnosing people.
He was showing give up and disinterest before the year even ended, before the cowboys were eliminated! Jogging and not finishing routes! You’re a cowboys fan and you know this.
It’s obvious…that ur Clueless..
Tag and trade I bet.
I bet…Not
Pay another player on the offense close to $30 million dollars while your defense was an embarrassment. Glad to see ol’ Jerry has his priorities in order.
He can play GP 30 mill per and go out and find 3 starting players for the defense thru Free Agency…plus draft Two players in the 1st rd…
There needs to be a Pennywise in the sewer meme of Jerry Jones trying to talk to players without their agents.
They always pay the wrong guys. You don’t pay WRs. You win up front not on the perimeter.
Did u miss the trade getting All Pro Williams for the Dline…plus Clark???
Keep Up!!
And their defense still stunk out loud. 32nd in points allowed.
Don’t waste your time, Mustard. There’s no cure for a blind homer.
Huh???
When they got Williams there Run D improved greatly…
U don’t know he didn’t play all year…right??
Huh?? You commented 6 times on here and every one of them has ‘don’t say anything negative about my Cowboys” written all over them.
You don’t pay WRs? Since when?
You pay the all-pro wr’s thats phosho
got my popcorn.. can”t wait to see how this turns out .. tag him and make him mad so he plays to stay healthy.. or overpay him and watch roster flexibility go out the window and become the dallas bengals
If Pickens gets tagged, and doesn’t subsequently get a new long term deal from the Cowboys, he gets a huge raise. His salary goes from $3.7MM in ‘25 to $28MM in ‘26; hardly a reason to get “mad”. Sure, a long term deal may pay him a few MM more per year, but even the ‘26 salary, on top of his career earnings of more than $8MM, largely secures his family’s long term future. Was he “mad” making $3.7MM last year. Seemingly not, as he had a largely incident free year and a VERY productive year at that.
The predictions of doom are largely from rival teams’ fans and are mostly based on jealousy. He was supposed to implode in 25, but didn’t. He’s now going on 25 years of age, has some significant cash in his pocket, has a QB who can get him the ball, and has a WR opposite him that will draw significant coverage away from him. George Pickens is in a great place.
As for fitting him under the cap, the Cowboys are not the Bengals (who are known for their stinginess). Dallas can rework some deals and easily afford him, pushing cap $ into the future like Philly has done in recent years. The two first rounders will be spent on defense, and they can even afford to bring in an expensive FA.
Tagging Pickens is the equivalent of lighting a fuse.
While a tag is great money for one season, he earned the security of a contract.
Not giving him one but denies him the opportunity to seek one from other teams like NE or BUF or LV
I’ve never liked the Tag option but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
They really getting a two for a flawed 1 year WR who is getting paid a mint? Honest question. Could they get bitten if the sign and don’t get at least a 3?
U lost me at flawed…