In February, the Dallas Cowboys placed their franchise tag on wide receiver George Pickens, ensuring he stays with the team for at least one more season. The Cowboys and Pickens could void the franchise tag by agreeing to a long-term contract this offseason. They have until July 15 to do so.
After all, if the Cowboys don’t sign Pickens to a long-term contract this offseason, they may be staring down a hefty price next offseason due to league-wide inflation. During an appearance on Get Up, ESPN’s Adam Schefter discussed the Cowboys’ plans for the star wideout.
“This is a tough contract to figure out in my mind, because he is due the franchise tag number of $27.3 million right now,” Schefter said on Monday. “You’ve got CeeDee Lamb making an average of $34 million a year. We’ve seen some of these wide receiver contracts. Jaxon Smith-Njigba comes in over $40 [million]. Puka [Nacua] is going to want right in that vicinity. These numbers are going up. The Dallas Cowboys are not going to want to pay George Pickens more than CeeDee Lamb. He’s going to want as much he can get.
“He’s on the franchise tag. They’re not close to a long term deal right now. I’m just telling you it’s going to be a challenging negotiation for both sides. … How many franchise or transition players have we seen through the years who didn’t get the long-term deal that they wanted, who dragged it out to the start of the season, who came in, who suffered a muscle strain, or went through the season disgruntled because they didn’t get the long-term deal?”
While the Cowboys could ultimately save money by signing Pickens to a long-term contract this offseason, franchise owner Jerry Jones is wary of such deals. In fairness, they’ve burnt him in the past.
In 2023, the Cowboys signed cornerback Trevon Diggs to a five–year, $97.00 million contract extension. Diggs tore his ACL just two weeks into the following season. Diggs returned for the 2024 campaign, but was ultimately sidelined again due to a groin injury.
In October 2025, Diggs was placed on injured reserve due to lingering concussion symptoms. On Dec. 30, the Cowboys waived the former All-Pro.
Although Pickens hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down, the Cowboys will be hesitant to open their checkbook. On the flip side, it wouldn’t be easy for the Cowboys to let Pickens walk.
Pickens was traded to the Cowboys last offseason after spending the first three seasons of his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. In his debut campaign with the Cowboys, Pickens recorded 93 catches for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns this past season. Pickens’ 1,429 receiving yards were the third-most in the NFL.