A Step Toward a Long-Term Deal<\/h4>\n
![\"George](\"https:\/\/assets.newsweek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/GettyImages-2253663351.jpg?w=1600&quality=80&webp=1\")
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While Pickens is set to play under the franchise tag<\/strong>, the Cowboys<\/strong> are expected to pursue a long-term extension<\/strong> with the dynamic wide receiver before the July deadline<\/strong>. The franchise tag<\/strong> is a temporary measure, and the Cowboys are likely hoping to lock up Pickens for the future, given his exceptional performance and high potential.<\/p>\n Pickens is the latest player in a long history of franchise tags<\/strong> by the Cowboys<\/strong>, a team that has frequently used the tag over the years. Since 1993<\/strong>, Dallas has applied the tag to 11 players<\/strong>, and Pickens is now the latest to join that list. Let\u2019s take a look back at some key moments in the Cowboys’ franchise tag history:<\/p>\n 2002 – Flozell Adams (OL)<\/strong>: The first player tagged by Dallas, Adams was re-signed to a one-year, $4.9 million<\/strong> deal before being extended the following year. He became a Pro Bowl<\/strong> player for several seasons after.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 2008 – Ken Hamlin (CB)<\/strong>: Hamlin was tagged after a Pro Bowl season<\/strong>, but he signed a long-term deal<\/strong> before the season started, though he was released after only two years.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 2012, 2013 – Anthony Spencer (OLB)<\/strong>: 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.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 2015 – Dez Bryant (WR)<\/strong>: Bryant held out after being tagged in 2015 but eventually agreed to a five-year, $70 million contract<\/strong> before the deadline. Injuries would impact his play over the following seasons.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 2018, 2019 – DeMarcus Lawrence (DE)<\/strong>: Lawrence played two seasons under the tag before signing a five-year, $105 million<\/strong> extension with $65 million in guaranteed money<\/strong>, making it the largest guaranteed deal ever for a non-quarterback at the time.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 2020, 2021 – Dak Prescott (QB)<\/strong>: Prescott was tagged twice, first in 2020 for $31.4 million<\/strong> and again in 2021 for $37.1 million<\/strong> before signing a four-year, $160 million<\/strong> extension.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 2022 – Dalton Schultz (TE)<\/strong>: Schultz played the 2022 season<\/strong> under the tag for $10.9 million<\/strong>, but he was not re-signed and eventually joined the Houston Texans<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 2023 – Tony Pollard (RB)<\/strong>: Pollard was tagged in 2023<\/strong>, securing a $10.09 million<\/strong> contract for the season, but was not retained after the year, signing with the Tennessee Titans<\/strong> in 2024<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n For George Pickens<\/strong>, the future looks promising, and the Cowboys are clearly eager to keep him as a key part of their offense. With Pickens<\/strong> entering the 2026 season<\/strong> under the franchise tag<\/strong>, 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<\/strong> will pay the $27.298 million<\/strong> for Pickens to play out the final year under the tag.<\/p>\n Pickens\u2019 performance in 2025<\/strong> 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<\/strong> with Pickens as a central figure, and it\u2019s clear that they\u2019re willing to pay a premium to keep him around.<\/p>\n As March 11, 2026<\/strong>, draws near, when NFL free agency<\/strong> officially kicks off, expect the Dallas Cowboys<\/strong> to continue making moves to strengthen their roster around Pickens<\/strong> and other key players. They have the potential to be a top contender in the NFC<\/strong>, and securing Pickens for the long haul would only add to their offensive firepower.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" DALLAS COWBOYS USE FRANCHISE TAG ON GEORGE PICKENS, CONTINUE TO BUILD WITH STAR RECEIVER \ud83d\udea8 The Dallas Cowboys have made their move in the lead-up to the… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":159541,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-159532","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nfl"],"yoast_head":"\nThe Cowboys\u2019 Franchise Tag History<\/h4>\n
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The Future of George Pickens<\/h4>\n