Cowboys lock in George Pickens on $27.3M franchise tag despite failing to reach long-term contract

The Dallas Cowboys announced George Pickens has signed his franchise tag for nan 2026 season.

Pickens has now guaranteed himself $27.3 cardinal this play pursuing his breakout first twelvemonth pinch nan Cowboys successful 2025.

Though nan Cowboys and Pickens couldn’t scope a semipermanent deal, Cowboys CEO Stephen Jones maintains nan squad has nary volition to waste and acquisition nan 25-year-old receiver for nan upcoming campaign.

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George Pickens of nan Dallas Cowboys looks connected aft his team’s 33-16 triumph against nan Las Vegas Raiders astatine Allegiant Stadium successful Las Vegas, Nev., connected Nov. 17, 2025. (Ian Maule/Getty Images)

A study came retired earlier nan NFL Draft past week stating Pickens intended connected signing nan tag, though it wasn’t complete until nan announcement connected April 29.

It was wide thought that Dallas and Pickens would get a semipermanent woody together, particularly pinch squad proprietor Jerry Jones stating astatine nan NFL’s yearly gathering that nan Cowboys has "long-term plans" for nan Pro Bowler, per Yahoo Sports.

COWBOYS ANNOUNCE DECISION ON GEORGE PICKENS' CONTRACT STATUS AS HE SEEKS MAJOR DEAL

While nan franchise tag could beryllium viewed arsenic a placeholder for a semipermanent woody to materialize astatine immoderate constituent earlier nan season, nan Cowboys announced earlier this period they wouldn’t discuss semipermanent deals pinch franchise-tagged players earlier nan July 15 deadline.

Pickens, apt realizing nan Cowboys’ stance, went pinch nan $27.3 cardinal guarantee.

The Cowboys’ move for Pickens past offseason successful a waste and acquisition pinch nan Pittsburgh Steelers proved a occurrence contempt nan squad missing nan playoffs successful caput coach Brian Schottenheimer’s first twelvemonth astatine nan helm.

George Pickens of nan Dallas Cowboys stretches earlier an NFL crippled against nan Detroit Lions astatine Ford Field successful Detroit, Mich., connected Dec. 4, 2025. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)

Pickens was a second-team All-Pro, hauling successful 93 receptions from backmost Dak Prescott for 1,429 yards pinch 9 touchdowns crossed 17 games.

It was clear nan Cowboys’ walk onslaught was 1 of nan astir lethal successful nan NFL, arsenic Pickens worked alongside CeeDee Lamb, tight extremity Jake Ferguson and different weapons that stood out, including Ryan Flournoy, who had a breakout season.

Lamb was besides paid this past year, arsenic nan Cowboys agreed to his inquire of being 1 of nan highest-paid receivers successful nan NFL. Lamb signed a four-year woody worthy $136 million, which makes him nan 4th highest-paid receiver successful nan convention now.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens celebrates a Thanksgiving Day triumph by eating turkey aft nan crippled against nan Kansas City Chiefs astatine AT&T Stadium connected Nov. 27, 2025. (Kevin Jairaj/Imagn Images)

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Seattle Seahawks prima Jaxon Smith-Njigba reset nan highest-paid receiver successful NFL history grounds pinch a $168.8 cardinal woody pinch $120 cardinal guaranteed aft his Super Bowl-winning run that saw nan 24-year-old triumph Offensive Player of nan Year.

The Cowboys cognize really awesome Pickens and Lamb are together, but shelling retired money for 2 top-market receivers isn’t nan easiest connected nan books. With nan franchise tag, Pickens is nan 15th highest-paid receiver successful nan NFL astatine nan commencement of nan 2026 season.

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