Cowboys WR George Pickens and Falcons TE Kyle Pitts were two of the three players to receive the franchise tag this year, along with Jets RB Breece Hall (the Colts also applied the transition tag to QB Daniel Jones). According to Albert Breer of SI.com, there is a good chance that both Pickens and Pitts play out the 2026 season on their franchise tenders rather than on new, long-term deals.
Per Breer, the Cowboys and Falcons may want to see that the 2025 performances of Pickens and Pitts, respectively, are sustainable and were not merely a contract-year flash. In Pitts’ case, such an evaluation is purely an on-field one.
As a rookie in 2021, Pitts earned a Pro Bowl nod and topped 1,000 receiving yards. After that, the Florida alum was unable to meet expectations until his 2025 bounce-back campaign, during which he set new career-highs in receptions (88) and touchdowns (five) while amassing 928 yards despite uneven quarterback play.
In 2022, Pitts was limited to 10 games, primarily as a result of an MCL tear. He needed to have his knee drained regularly the following season, and despite playing a full 17-game slate in 2023 and 2024, he appeared in less than two-thirds of Atlanta’s offensive snaps in those years.
His snap share jumped to 88% in 2025, and the increase in playing time coincided with an increase in production. If Pitts can replicate that showing in 2026 under new head coach Kevin Stefanski, a lucrative multiyear deal could be in the offing. His 2025 franchise tender is worth $16.32MM.
The Cowboys, meanwhile, are hoping Pickens can not only be as effective between the lines as he was in 2025 (93/1,493/9), but also if he can stave off the maturity issues that ultimately forced the Steelers to trade him to Dallas in the first place. Although the Cowboys’ approach here will be informed by the fact that they already have fellow wideout CeeDee Lamb on a deal near the top of the receiver market, any reluctance to authorize a similar contract for Pickens could be driven by more than finances.
The contentious negotiations between owner Jerry Jones and Micah Parsons’ agent, David Mulugheta, culminated in the blockbuster trade that sent Parsons to the Packers in August. Jones’ presence and the fact that Mulugheta also represents Pickens have led to speculation that Pickens could be traded this offseason despite the franchise tag, and Tony Pauline of EssentiallySports.com confirms a trade remains a possibility.
However, Pauline has not yet heard of any trade interest in Pickens as of yet. The 25-year-old receiver is due to earn $27.3MM on the franchise tender.
Pickens strikes me as the kind of guy who wouldn’t show up to play on a franchise tender.
He reminds me also of a guy once he gets the big contract will be a problem.