George Pickens Eyes Long-Term Future in Dallas, But Cowboys Face Big Decision
SAN FRANCISCO - As the Cowboys gear up for what promises to be a pivotal offseason, one of the biggest questions hanging over the franchise isn’t about scheme or coaching-it’s about George Pickens. After a breakout year that firmly planted him among the NFL’s elite wide receivers, Dallas now faces a critical decision: lock him up long-term, tag him, or explore the unthinkable-trade him.
Pickens, speaking Monday morning at the Pro Bowl Games in San Francisco, isn’t pressing the panic button. He’s letting his agent handle the business side, and for now, he’s focused on what he can control. Still, it’s clear where his heart is.
“Definitely just kind of wait it out and hope for the best,” Pickens said. “I would love to [stay in Dallas]. But when you can’t control it, you kind of just hope for the best.”
Let’s break this down. The Cowboys essentially have three paths forward.
Option one: sign him to a long-term extension, rewarding his production and betting on continued growth. Option two: place the franchise tag on him, giving both sides more time to negotiate.
Option three: trade him-an option that would send shockwaves through the fanbase.
Right now, the most likely move is the franchise tag. It would keep Pickens from hitting free agency on March 11 and buy the team until July 15 to work out a deal. If nothing gets done by then, he’d play the 2026 season on a one-year tag worth around $28 million.
Pickens, for his part, isn’t sweating it.
“If it’s the best thing for both parties, then I’m willing to do anything,” he said. “But like I said, I can’t control it, so I just kind of chill. ... Just the ultimate best deal when it helps everybody.”
That calm confidence comes from a player who knows what he just accomplished. In 2025, Pickens didn’t just take a step forward-he exploded.
Career highs across the board: 93 catches, 1,429 yards, and nine touchdowns. Those numbers earned him his first Pro Bowl selection and a spot on the AP All-Pro second team.
In a league loaded with receiver talent, Pickens made it clear-he belongs in the conversation.
And he knows it.
“I feel like, if anything, it went up,” Pickens said of his value. “But me personally, my value is just a playmaker type of guy. I feel like any team or wherever I play - I can be playing in Canada - I just want them to know that I’m definitely a playmaker.”
That’s not just talk. Pickens has shown he can win at every level of the field-contested catches, yards after the catch, red zone threat, you name it. His chemistry with Dak Prescott improved rapidly, and his presence gave the Dallas offense a new gear.
Now comes the hard part. The Cowboys have to weigh their cap space, long-term roster construction, and the reality of paying top-tier money to a receiver who’s earned it.
Pickens has done everything you could ask for in Year 1 with the team. The question is: will Dallas reward that, or will they play the waiting game?
The clock is ticking. The franchise tag window opens soon, and March 11 looms large. If the Cowboys want to keep one of their brightest stars in the fold for years to come, the next few months will be crucial.
One thing’s for sure-George Pickens has done his part. Now it’s up to Dallas to decide if he’s part of their long-term vision.