The Cowboys kept wide receiver George Pickens in the fold for 2026 with the $27.3MM franchise tag. A multiyear agreement may come together in the next few months, but no progress has been made on that front. It is now in question whether Pickens will participate in the Cowboys’ offseason program, Todd Archer of ESPN relays.
The Cowboys are set to begin workouts on April 20, but head coach Brian Schottenheimer noted those are “voluntary.” Mandatory OTAs are scheduled for mid-June, while training camp will commence in late July. By the time camp opens, the July 15 deadline for Pickens to ink a multiyear deal will have passed. If the 25-year-old is still without a contract at that point, his choices would be to sign the franchise tender or sit out.
As Archer notes, the Cowboys are no strangers to recent contract-related drama. They engaged in a much-publicized standoff with outside linebacker Micah Parsons last summer. Parsons was in attendance for the first two days of the voluntary program, but he did not work out. While Parsons showed up for mandatory OTAs and camp, he was not a participant in practice. A week before the regular season started, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones ended the battle when he traded Parsons to the Packers for two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark.
Late in the Parsons saga, Jones accused agent David Mulugheta of obstructing negotiations. It’s worth pointing out that Mulugheta also represents Pickens. Jones is once again expected to play a key role in talks regarding a potential Pickens deal, though Schottenheimer seems confident the two sides will find common ground in this case.
“Hey look, GP loves it here. We love GP,” Schottenheimer said. “We have plans for GP to be here for a long time, so we’ll let the business side of this thing play out and see where it goes.”
Acquired from the Steelers last May, Pickens put himself in position for a massive raise with a career-best showing in 2025. After averaging around 59 catches, 947 yards and four touchdowns per season in Pittsburgh, Pickens began his Dallas tenure with a 93-reception, 1,429-yard, nine-touchdown outburst. The four-year veteran ranked top eight in the NFL in all three categories. It bodes well for Pickens that the salary cap has increased substantially since then, though it is anyone’s guess if he and the Cowboys will see eye to eye during negotiations.
Jerry…SB champ of offseason headline news.
Is Jerry dumb enough to give this guy a max contract? Yes!
He has to posture and talk tough for a few months first. Then some more WRs around the league will sign massive extensions and in the end, Jerrah will cave and give Pickens everything he wants, which will cost Jerrah more than if he had just given Pickens a contract in the first place.