Cowboys plan to franchise tag George Pickens at $28M while negotiating long-term deal

The Dallas Cowboys are planning to use the franchise tag on wide receiver George Pickens before the March 3 deadline, a move designed to secure his rights while the team negotiates a long-term contract extension.

Pickens finished the 2025 season with 93 receptions, 1,429 receiving yards, and 9 touchdowns. The projected franchise tag for wide receivers in 2026 is $28.046 million, which would serve as a placeholder while the two sides work toward a multi-year agreement before the July 15 deadline.

Jon Machota reports that the “current plan is to use the franchise tag on Pickens in hopes of buying time to work out a long-term deal.” The Cowboys’ front office is expected to meet with Pickens’ agent at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis to begin formal discussions.

$28.046M franchise tag gives Cowboys until July 15 to finalize extension

The franchise tag locks Pickens into a one-year, $28.046 million salary if no long-term deal is reached by July 15. That figure represents a significant cap commitment for a single season but is likely lower than the average annual value Pickens would command on a multi-year extension based on his 2025 production.

The tag gives Dallas control over Pickens’ rights and prevents him from reaching unrestricted free agency, but it also creates a compressed negotiating window. If the two sides cannot agree on an extension by mid-July, Pickens would play the 2026 season on the tag with no long-term commitment from either party.

Dak Prescott pushes to keep Pickens while Stephen Jones addresses offseason concerns

Quarterback Dak Prescott has publicly endorsed retaining Pickens, stating, “Whichever way they do it, he’s an important piece of this offense, and an important piece of what we’re trying to do.” Prescott’s comments reflect the on-field connection the two built during Pickens’ breakout season.

Vice President Stephen Jones acknowledged the possibility that a prolonged negotiation could lead to Pickens missing voluntary offseason work. “We want him here working with the team,” Jones said, adding that the situation will “work itself out in the coming weeks” .

Cowboys’ history of delayed extensions with CeeDee Lamb and Prescott adds pressure

Dallas has a recent pattern of pushing contract negotiations close to or past deadlines, including extensions with CeeDee Lamb and Prescott that involved extended holdouts or last-minute resolutions. That history creates additional urgency around the Pickens situation, as a prolonged negotiation could result in the same offseason disruptions the team experienced with previous franchise players.

The Cowboys’ ability to finalize a deal before training camp would avoid a repeat of those scenarios and allow Pickens to participate fully in the offseason program. The Combine meetings between the front office and Pickens’ representation will establish whether both sides are close enough on structure and guarantees to reach an agreement well before the July deadline.