🚨 DALLAS COWBOYS TO PLACE FRANCHISE TAG ON GEORGE PICKENS FOR $28 MILLION: WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD? 👇

George Pickens has quickly become one of the top young wide receivers in the NFL, and the Dallas Cowboys are making it clear they intend to keep him around for the long term. After a spectacular first season with the Cowboys, Pickens will not be entering free agency just yet. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Cowboys are expected to place the franchise tag on their Pro Bowl wide receiver ahead of the 2026 season, ensuring he remains in Dallas for at least one more year while the team works on a long-term deal.

Pickens’ Career Year with the Cowboys

The Cowboys’ acquisition of George Pickens ahead of the 2025 season turned out to be one of the best trades of the year. Dallas sent a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-rounder to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for Pickens and a 2027 sixth-round pick. This deal proved to be a steal for the Cowboys, as the 24-year-old wide receiver had a breakout year in his first season in Dallas.

Pickens played all 17 regular-season games, finishing with 93 receptions, 1,429 yards, and 9 touchdowns, all of which were career highs. His stellar performance earned him his first Pro Bowl selection, cementing his status as one of the premier wide receivers in the league. With his impressive stats, Pickens was a huge part of the Cowboys’ offense, quickly becoming one of Dak Prescott’s top targets.

Franchise Tag: What Does It Mean for Pickens?

As Pickens’ current four-year deal runs out, the Dallas Cowboys are taking a proactive approach to ensure that their star receiver does not hit free agency. Schefter reported that the Cowboys are expected to place a franchise tag on Pickens, which would ensure he remains with the team for the 2026 season.

The franchise tag for wide receivers in 2026 is expected to be worth around $28 million, a fully guaranteed one-year deal. This move would give the Cowboys more time to negotiate a long-term contract extension with Pickens while also keeping him on the roster for at least another season.

What Does This Mean for Pickens’ Future in Dallas?

The franchise tag is a strategic move that limits a player’s options in free agency, and in Pickens’ case, it almost guarantees that he will stay in Dallas for the time being. However, while the Cowboys’ ownership has expressed a strong desire to keep Pickens in Dallas for the long term, the wide receiver himself remains a bit non-committal about his future with the team.

“I would love to [stay in Dallas], but when you can’t control it, you kind of just hope for the best,” Pickens said at the Pro Bowl Games earlier this week. “I can’t control it, so I just kind of chill.”

Despite his open desire to stay, Pickens also revealed that the Cowboys had yet to reach out to him directly regarding a new contract. He maintained a neutral stance when discussing his future, saying, “Just the ultimate best deal when it helps everybody… if it’s the best thing for both parties, then I’m willing to do anything.” This shows that while Pickens is open to a long-term deal, he understands that the final decision is out of his hands and that his priority is finding a deal that benefits both him and the team.

What’s Next for the Cowboys and Pickens?

With Pickens’ future in Dallas secure for 2026 thanks to the franchise tag, the next step will be for Cowboys GM Jerry Jones and the front office to work toward a long-term extension that will keep the Pro Bowl wide receiver in the Cowboys’ fold for years to come. As one of the top young stars in the NFL, Pickens’ production and talent are critical to the team’s Super Bowl ambitions.

For now, Dallas can focus on negotiating a deal with Pickens while ensuring they have him for another season. His combination of youth, talent, and potential makes him an incredibly valuable asset for the Cowboys, and securing him long-term would be a key piece of their championship puzzle.

While Pickens may not have the final say in his contract situation just yet, the Cowboys‘ desire to lock him up for the future is clear, and this franchise tag move is the first step in what could be a lucrative and long-lasting partnership.