After a breakout season that turned heads across the league, George Pickens looks like he’s staying put in Dallas - at least for now. According to league sources, the Cowboys are expected to use the franchise tag on the former Steelers wideout, locking him in for 2026 with a projected one-year salary just shy of $29 million.
Pickens didn’t just fit into the Cowboys’ offense - he exploded. In his first season catching passes from Dak Prescott, he put up career-best numbers: 93 receptions, 1,429 yards, and nine touchdowns. That production earned him second-team All-Pro honors and solidified his place as one of the league’s most dynamic young receivers.
It’s no surprise the Cowboys want to keep him around. The chemistry between Pickens and Prescott was evident from the jump, and pairing him with CeeDee Lamb gave Dallas one of the most dangerous receiving duos in the NFL. For Jerry Jones, the decision to tag Pickens is about more than just numbers - it’s about keeping a core intact that helped the Cowboys' offense reach another gear.
But for Pickens, the tag brings a different kind of conversation. When asked earlier this week how he’d feel about being tagged, he was honest: “I’m not really sure.
It would be my first time. I wouldn’t really know how to react.
I would want to just be with the guys. … All I can say is I hope for the best.
I can’t really control the uncontrollables.”
That’s a telling quote. While the tag guarantees a hefty payday, it doesn’t offer the long-term security most players want - especially after a season like the one Pickens just had.
He could choose to play under the tag, or he could push for a multi-year extension. Sitting out is always an option, though it’s a high-stakes move.
Still, if there’s one thing that’s clear, it’s that Pickens feels at home in Dallas. Back in November, he reflected on the midseason trade that brought him from Pittsburgh to the Cowboys: “They did right by me.
They sent me to the perfect spot in Dallas. What more do you want me to say?
There’s no drama, bro. No headlines to write.
They’re doing things their way up there, and I’m down here in Dallas with CeeDee and Dak doing what I do best. Everybody wins.”
That kind of mindset is exactly what Dallas needs as they look to build on last season’s momentum. Pickens isn’t just producing - he’s bought in. And for a franchise that’s always looking to strike the right balance between star power and locker room chemistry, that matters.
Whether this tag is a bridge to a long-term deal or just a temporary measure remains to be seen. But one thing’s for sure: George Pickens isn’t going anywhere - and the Cowboys’ offense is better for it.