DALLAS COWBOYS USE FRANCHISE TAG ON GEORGE PICKENS, CONTINUE TO BUILD WITH STAR RECEIVER 🚨
The Dallas Cowboys have made their move in the lead-up to the 2026 NFL season, officially placing the franchise tag on wide receiver George Pickens, securing his services for at least one more year. Pickens, acquired in a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers, was a standout performer for the Cowboys, putting up career-high numbers with 93 receptions, 1,429 yards, and nine touchdowns. The tag guarantees Pickens a $27.298 million salary for the 2026 season.
A Step Toward a Long-Term Deal
While Pickens is set to play under the franchise tag, the Cowboys are expected to pursue a long-term extension with the dynamic wide receiver before the July deadline. The franchise tag is a temporary measure, and the Cowboys are likely hoping to lock up Pickens for the future, given his exceptional performance and high potential.
The Cowboys’ Franchise Tag History
Pickens is the latest player in a long history of franchise tags by the Cowboys, a team that has frequently used the tag over the years. Since 1993, Dallas has applied the tag to 11 players, and Pickens is now the latest to join that list. Let’s take a look back at some key moments in the Cowboys’ franchise tag history:
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2002 – Flozell Adams (OL): The first player tagged by Dallas, Adams was re-signed to a one-year, $4.9 million deal before being extended the following year. He became a Pro Bowl player for several seasons after.
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2008 – Ken Hamlin (CB): Hamlin was tagged after a Pro Bowl season, but he signed a long-term deal before the season started, though he was released after only two years.
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2012, 2013 – Anthony Spencer (OLB): Spencer was tagged in back-to-back years, marking the first instance of a player being tagged by the Cowboys for consecutive seasons. Unfortunately, injuries limited his impact in 2013.
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2015 – Dez Bryant (WR): Bryant held out after being tagged in 2015 but eventually agreed to a five-year, $70 million contract before the deadline. Injuries would impact his play over the following seasons.
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2018, 2019 – DeMarcus Lawrence (DE): Lawrence played two seasons under the tag before signing a five-year, $105 million extension with $65 million in guaranteed money, making it the largest guaranteed deal ever for a non-quarterback at the time.
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2020, 2021 – Dak Prescott (QB): Prescott was tagged twice, first in 2020 for $31.4 million and again in 2021 for $37.1 million before signing a four-year, $160 million extension.
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2022 – Dalton Schultz (TE): Schultz played the 2022 season under the tag for $10.9 million, but he was not re-signed and eventually joined the Houston Texans.
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2023 – Tony Pollard (RB): Pollard was tagged in 2023, securing a $10.09 million contract for the season, but was not retained after the year, signing with the Tennessee Titans in 2024.
The Future of George Pickens
For George Pickens, the future looks promising, and the Cowboys are clearly eager to keep him as a key part of their offense. With Pickens entering the 2026 season under the franchise tag, the team is hopeful that contract negotiations will move forward quickly and that they will come to terms on a long-term extension. If not, the Cowboys will pay the $27.298 million for Pickens to play out the final year under the tag.
Pickens’ performance in 2025 was nothing short of stellar, and he has already proven himself as a dynamic force in the Cowboys’ offense. The team is likely positioning itself for long-term success with Pickens as a central figure, and it’s clear that they’re willing to pay a premium to keep him around.
As March 11, 2026, draws near, when NFL free agency officially kicks off, expect the Dallas Cowboys to continue making moves to strengthen their roster around Pickens and other key players. They have the potential to be a top contender in the NFC, and securing Pickens for the long haul would only add to their offensive firepower.
