Friday brought big news for NFL fans as the Dallas Cowboys officially placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on wide receiver George Pickens, setting the stage for one of the most closely watched contract negotiations of the 2026 offseason. The move, confirmed by multiple sources including ESPN and CBS Sports Texas, guarantees Pickens a whopping $27.3 million salary for the 2026 season—assuming he signs the tender—while the Cowboys and his representatives work toward a long-term deal. The decision keeps Pickens from entering unrestricted free agency on March 13, a relief for Dallas fans eager to see their breakout star remain in blue and silver.
Pickens, who turns 25 on March 4, 2026, is coming off a career year that saw him finish third in the NFL in receiving yards. In his first season with Dallas after a trade from the Pittsburgh Steelers, he racked up 93 catches for 1,429 yards and found the end zone nine times. That performance earned him second-team All Pro honors and solidified his place as a core piece in one of the league’s most electrifying offenses. His knack for big plays—13 receptions of 25 yards or more, tied for fourth most in the NFL—made him a nightmare for opposing defenses and a favorite target for his quarterback.
The franchise tag, a designation that binds a player to a team for one season at a salary determined by the average of the top five at his position, is a powerful tool for NFL front offices. For wide receivers in 2026, that figure sits at $27.298 million, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The Cowboys opted for the non-exclusive version of the tag, which allows Pickens to negotiate with other teams but gives Dallas the right to match any offer or receive two first-round draft picks as compensation if they let him walk. It’s a strategic move, especially given how Pickens’ market value has soared after his stellar 2025 campaign.
“We just love that George is going to be back,” Cowboys Executive Vice President Stephen Jones told NFL Network, expressing optimism about the team’s future with Pickens on board. “Jerry had a great visit with him yesterday. (Pickens) was fired up that he wasn’t going to be going anywhere.” That sentiment echoes the front office’s clear intent to keep Pickens in Dallas for the long haul, even as negotiations continue up to the July 15 deadline for a new contract. If no deal is reached by then, Pickens will play the 2026 season on the franchise tag.
Pickens’ rise in Dallas has been nothing short of remarkable. After a rocky start to his career in Pittsburgh—where questions about his maturity sometimes overshadowed his talent—the 2022 second-round pick found new life with the Cowboys. The trade, which sent Pickens to Dallas in exchange for a third-round pick and a swap of late-round selections, looks more and more like a coup for the Cowboys’ front office. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer, in his first season at the helm after a long stint as an assistant, has praised Pickens’ impact on the field, even as he and fellow receiver CeeDee Lamb faced some minor disciplinary issues—like being benched for the first series in Las Vegas after a curfew violation. Those hiccups aside, Pickens has been all business between the lines.
His partnership with Lamb, who is in the second year of a $136 million, four-year contract (the third-highest average annual value among NFL receivers), gives Dallas arguably the most dangerous receiving duo in the league. Lamb, who missed the 2024 offseason and training camp while holding out for his new deal, made headlines last year, but Pickens’ emergence has balanced the Cowboys’ aerial attack. The numbers are staggering: Pickens’ 73 first-down catches ranked third in the NFL, while his ability to make contested grabs—like his memorable sideline catch over two Eagles defenders—has made highlight reels across the country.
Despite their offensive firepower, the Cowboys struggled defensively in 2025, finishing with a disappointing 7-9-1 record and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. That’s a bitter pill for fans, especially given the franchise’s storied history and high expectations. The team has already moved to shore up other key positions, re-signing running back Javonte Williams to a three-year, $24 million deal after his own breakout season—1,201 rushing yards, the best by a Dallas back since Ezekiel Elliott in 2019.
Pickens’ contract situation is emblematic of a broader trend across the NFL this offseason. The franchise tag window, which opened February 17 and closes at 4 p.m. ET on March 3, has already seen several high-profile players tagged, including Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts. Pitts, coming off a bounce-back year, was tagged at $16.3 million and remains a key weapon for the Falcons’ offense. Other notable candidates for the tag this year include New York Jets running back Breece Hall, Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Odafe Oweh, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones, and Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III. The league’s focus on keeping elite talent in-house is as strong as ever.
For the Cowboys, the franchise tag is both a blessing and a challenge. While it ensures Pickens won’t hit free agency, there’s always the risk that negotiations for a long-term deal could stall. History isn’t exactly on Dallas’s side—since 2015, the Cowboys haven’t secured a multiyear extension with a player after tagging him for the first time. Notable examples include Dalton Schultz and Tony Pollard, both of whom left as free agents the year after being tagged. That said, the team did eventually lock up stars like DeMarcus Lawrence and Dak Prescott, but only after tagging them twice.
There’s also the matter of offseason participation. If Pickens signs the franchise tag tender but skips mandatory minicamp in June or training camp in July, he could face fines. It’s a delicate dance—players want long-term security, while teams want to maintain roster flexibility. For now, though, all signs point to Pickens suiting up in Dallas next season, much to the delight of the Cowboys faithful.
As the NFL’s franchise tag window ticks toward its March 3 deadline, all eyes remain on Dallas and George Pickens. Will the Cowboys break their recent trend and lock up their star receiver for years to come? Or will Pickens play out 2026 on the tag, betting on himself to earn an even bigger payday next year? One thing’s for certain: the drama in Dallas is far from over, and the stakes couldn’t be higher for one of the league’s most dynamic young talents.