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Las Vegas Raiders GM John Spytek.
The Las Vegas Raiders have a chance to field the most improved offense in the NFL next season. The team was dead last in points scored in 2025, but they hired an offense-minded head coach in Klint Kubiak and are likely to use the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on a quarterback.
If quarterback is the play at No. 1, the Raiders’ big remaining needs on offense are wide receiver and offensive line. Spending free agent money on veteran offensive linemen would make a lot of sense, but adding a game-changing wide receiver would have to be appealing.
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens was easily the best wide receiver who was supposed to hit free agency. However, the Cowboys don’t want to let him go.
The two sides haven’t made progress on a contract extension, but Dallas is still committed to keeping him in the building. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Cowboys are planning to place the franchise tag on Pickens.
This news isn’t a surprise. Pickens had 93 catches for 1,429 yards last season. That’s not the type of player a team typically lets walk in free agency. There’s still time for the sides to negotiate a long-term contract, but it’ll be interesting to see if Pickens is willing to play on the franchise tag.
Pickens Could Still Be Traded
The franchise tag will keep other teams from being able to sign Pickens in free agency, but that doesn’t mean he won’t potentially be available. Players don’t typically take the news of getting the franchise tag well.
Though it will give Pickens a fully guaranteed contract for 2026, he likely wants something long-term after a career year. If he doesn’t want to work with the Cowboys, that could open up a chance for him to get traded.
Considering the need for him to get paid, he might be gettable for a second-round pick. For the Raiders, that wouldn’t be a huge price to pay for a superstar wide receiver. There are some concerns with Pickens’ personality, but there’s no denying that he’s a major playmaker when he’s on the field. Giving a rookie quarterback Pickens and Brock Bowers to throw to would certainly make his first year easier.
Stephen Jones Talks Pickens
It doesn’t sound like the idea was to franchise tag Pickens for the right to trade him. He was an important part of what the Cowboys did this season, and they want him back.
Cowboys COO Stephen Jones made it clear that the hope is to keep Pickens in Dallas.
“We want Pickens here. We think the world of him. Want him here. Love him, and I think he wants to be here. So all that’s a plus,” Jones said, via Rapoport.
The Cowboys have a lot of needs, especially on defense, so spending big money on another wide receiver might be a questionable decision. Dallas had a great offense in 2025, but couldn’t get into the playoffs due to defensive issues. Perhaps Pickens could be traded to help them land more defensive talent, but their long-term plans remain to be seen.
Austin Boyd has covered the Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Lakers for Heavy.com since 2019. A Los Angeles native now based in Las Vegas, his featured work at Heavy includes interviews with NFL stars Darren Waller and Joe Montana, and a behind-the-scenes look at “The Shop.” More about Austin Boyd
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