Cowboys Face Crucial Decision with George Pickens' Future
The Dallas Cowboys are gearing up for a pivotal offseason decision regarding their star wide receiver, George Pickens. With the March 3 deadline looming, the Cowboys are expected to use the franchise tag on Pickens, a move that would cost them around $28 million. This buys them time until July 15 to negotiate a longer-term deal.
Stephen Jones, the Cowboys' executive vice president, made it clear at the NFL Combine that keeping Pickens in Dallas is a priority. "We want Pickens here.
We think the world of him. We love him.
And I think he wants to be here," Jones emphasized. He added that while they are not rushing the process, they are confident Pickens will remain with the team.
Using the franchise tag is not without its challenges. Jones acknowledged the potential for complications, referencing how past players like Dak Prescott handled similar situations.
"It crosses your mind," Jones admitted. "Dak played under two of them and never missed anything.
Hopefully, that’ll be the case here."
The last time the Cowboys successfully transitioned a tagged player to a longer-term deal was with Dez Bryant in 2015. "It can go either way," Jones remarked, highlighting the unpredictable nature of these negotiations.
Pickens has certainly proven his worth since the Cowboys traded a third-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers for him last offseason. He delivered an impressive performance with 93 catches, 1,429 yards, and nine touchdowns in 2025.
However, the franchise tag could complicate matters. As ESPN's Jeremy Fowler pointed out, the tag would put Pickens at $28.8 million, a figure that might not reflect his market value.
"He’s going to need something with a three in front of it on a per-year average," Fowler noted. This could lead to a standoff if Pickens decides not to sign the tag.
The situation mirrors previous challenges faced by the Cowboys, as seen with edge rusher Micah Parsons. With CeeDee Lamb already commanding an average of $34 million per year, the financial dynamics become even more complex.
Rumors have swirled about potential trades, with ESPN's Dan Graziano suggesting Pickens as a trade chip in a hypothetical deal for Maxx Crosby. Such a move would alleviate some financial pressure but could leave the Cowboys searching for a new No. 2 wide receiver.
Ultimately, the Cowboys are at a crossroads. Balancing their roster's financial health with retaining top talent like Pickens is no easy task. As negotiations unfold, Dallas fans will be watching closely, hoping for a resolution that keeps Pickens in a Cowboys uniform for years to come.