NFL GM addresses if Cowboys' George Pickens is looking for a trade amid franchise-tag drama

As of Wednesday morning, there was no indication that Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens planned to sign his franchise tender worth roughly $27.3M for the 2026 season. 

Understandably, some have wondered if Pickens may be hoping to be traded to a team that will give him the long-term extension he desires. For a piece published on Wednesday, NFL insider Jason La Canfora of SportsBoom US spoke with an unnamed general manager about the Pickens situation. 

Why George Pickens may want to leave the Cowboys this offseason

"If he’s the No. 1 guy in a different offense, maybe he doesn’t have to play out the tag two years in a row," the general manager said about Pickens. "That’s what’s going through his mind. [Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones] isn’t going to be excited about 2027 draft picks now."

Before the 2026 draft got underway, Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones confirmed that the club wouldn't negotiate a multiyear deal with Pickens' camp before the deadline for tagged players to sign such extensions arrives on July 15. 

This past Monday, Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio noted that the Cowboys may already be planning to once again use the franchise tag to retain Pickens' rights for 2027. That move would result in Pickens receiving a 20-percent increase over his 2026 pay (roughly $32.75M). 

To compare, Jaxon Smith-Njigba of the Seattle Seahawks reset the market for receivers when he signed a four-year, $168.6M deal that included $120M guaranteed back in March. 

George Pickens may understand "reality" of his situation with Cowboys

In August 2024, the Cowboys and No. 1 receiver CeeDee Lamb agreed to a four-year, $136M deal. 

"The reality for Pickens in Dallas is that the passing game flows through slot receiver CeeDee Lamb," La Canfora wrote, "who already got his mega contract and is very close with $60M quarterback Dak Prescott." 

According to La Canfora, Jones "is unwilling to make another massive investment in his passing game." Meanwhile, the general manager told La Canfora that Jones may accept "a combination of an ascending player and draft capital" for Pickens' services this offseason. It's unclear if any team is willing to match such an asking price to land Pickens and sign the 25-year-old to an expensive contract. 

In August 2025, the Cowboys traded star pass-rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers for two first-round draft picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark. Green Bay then signed Parsons to a four-year, $188M contract that included $136M guaranteed.