The biggest storyline of the Cowboys’ offseason is what they should do with George Pickens.
Dallas is expected to place the franchise tag on Pickens as the two sides try to find a long-term deal for the star wideout. If the Cowboys ultimately tag Pickens, they’ll have until July 15 to agree to an extension with him. The projected franchise tag for wide receivers is a one-year, roughly $28 million deal, according to Over The Cap.
Count Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith among those who think Dallas needs to figure out its plan with Pickens quickly. Smith joined the “Up and Adams Show” with Kay Adams during Super Bowl week and explained his thoughts on Dallas’ offseason questions.
“I would make that decision right now, or right before the draft so I know how to proceed in the draft,” Smith said when asked how he’d time his Pickens decision. “Not only that, I would solidify my offensive scheme with [CeeDee] Lamb, Pickens and [Jake Ferguson], the way we ran the ball with Javonte [Williams]. That solidifies the foundation.”
Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) and wide receiver George Pickens (3) signal first down after running back Javonte Williams moved the chains with a one-yard run on a fourth-and-one play during the second quarter of an NFL football game on Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Landover, Md. The Cowboys scored on a touchdown run three plays later.
Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer
Handling Pickens before the draft would give the Cowboys some much-needed clarity, given the fact they have two picks in the first round. If they determine they won’t be able to reach a deal with Pickens before the draft, drafting a wide receiver in the first round becomes a real possibility. Possibilities like that are why Smith believes Dallas needs to make a decision before April’s draft.
Regardless of the other scenarios, Smith still wants Pickens to stick around and its easy to see why. He posted 1,429 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on 93 catches during his debut season in Dallas.
Jerry Jones was asked last week if he worries about how a potential franchise tag would affect Pickens.
“Not any more at all than any other player,” Jones said. “No. In fact, my emphasis on feeling good about him off the field, or any of those issues, has to do with me not differentiating him from any of the top player. Obviously, if you franchise somebody, they’re not getting exactly where they want to be. That’s the way that works. Would I be more concerned with him that I would be anybody? The answer is not at all. To me, that’s what we’ve seen and what he’s shown.”
A potential franchise tag on Pickens would mark the first time the Cowboys have used the tag since 2023 when they used it on running back Tony Pollard.
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