The Denver Broncos are in the thick of a pivotal offseason, and one thing is clear-they need more firepower at wide receiver. With Courtland Sutton anchoring the room and a few promising young pieces around him, the foundation is there.
But if Denver’s serious about making a Super Bowl push with Bo Nix under center, they’re going to need a proven, high-impact weapon on the outside. Enter George Pickens.
The Dallas Cowboys may be the team to watch here. Pickens, who’s coming off a career-best season with 1,429 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, is set to hit free agency. However, all signs point to the Cowboys using the franchise tag on him, setting up a potential tag-and-trade scenario.
And that’s where Denver could come into play.
The Broncos have the cap space and a clear need for a true WR1 to pair with their young quarterback. Reports suggest Denver might be willing to part with Day 2 draft capital to land a receiver of Pickens’ caliber. It’s a bold move, but one that makes a lot of sense given the team’s current trajectory.
Pickens brings a dynamic skill set to the table. He’s a vertical threat who can stretch the field, but he’s also a menace in contested catch situations.
At 6-foot-3 with elite body control and strong hands, he’s the type of receiver who can turn 50-50 balls into 70-30s. That’s exactly the kind of security blanket a young quarterback like Nix could benefit from-especially in tight playoff games, where every possession matters.
Of course, there’s risk involved. Pickens’ time in Pittsburgh was rocky, marked by discipline issues and questions about effort. Even in 2025, widely considered a bounce-back year in terms of behavior, he was benched for missing a team bus-a red flag that won’t be ignored by front offices.
But talent tends to win out in this league, and Pickens has plenty of it. For a Broncos team that made it to the AFC Championship Game last season and feels like it’s one piece away, the upside might outweigh the concerns. Denver’s roster is built to compete now, and if they believe Pickens can stay locked in, he could be the missing piece to elevate their offense from good to great.
On the Cowboys’ side, the decision to move on from Pickens may be more about finances than football. Dallas is nearly $30 million over the cap and has pressing needs on the defensive side of the ball. With a projected price tag of $122 million over four years, keeping Pickens simply might not be feasible-especially when that money could be used to patch up multiple holes elsewhere on the roster.
So while Jerry Jones might want to keep his star receiver, the numbers just don’t add up. And that could open the door for Denver to swoop in.
Bottom line: If the Broncos are serious about contending in 2026, adding a dynamic, proven playmaker like George Pickens could be the kind of aggressive move that pushes them over the top. It’s a gamble-but one that might just pay off big.