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Two NFL Teams Could Steal George Pickens From The Cowboys

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated Dec 12, 2025 8:30 PM ET

There won't be many 2026 free agents as intriguing as George Pickens.

The Dallas Cowboys traded away a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for Pickens and a 2027 sixth-round pick. It's safe to say they won that deal.

Pickens is enjoying the best year of his career, hauling in 78 passes for 1,179 yard and eight touchdowns. There are still four games left in the regular season for him to boost his stock even more. Even if his production dips just a bit in the final month, there are several teams expected to pursue him in free agency.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, both the Baltimore Ravens and the Kansas City Chiefs need a "classic boundary receiver" for the 2026 season. There won't be a better option in free agency than Pickens.

Even though Fowler mentioned the Chiefs as an option for Pickens, it sounds like he has the Ravens as the No. 1 threat to sign him away from Dallas.

"The Chiefs and Ravens both need a classic boundary receiver on the outside and could address that with one big move in free agency. George Pickens would be a significant upgrade in Baltimore," Fowler wrote. "... Pickens might be franchise-tagged by Dallas. But if available, the Ravens could use some of their $40 million in 2026 cap space on Pickens, knowing John Harbaugh is good at managing big personalities."

Cowboys control Pickens' future.

If the Cowboys are worried about losing Pickens in free agency, they could just use the franchise tag on him. That's exactly what NFL Network's Ian Rapoport expects to happen in the offseason.

“While the best option for Pickens would be to hit unfettered free agency, the more likely option, sources say, is the Cowboys franchise tag him at an expected price of over $28 million for one season,” Rapoport wrote. “Dallas would then attempt to work out a long-term deal with Pickens.”

The projected franchise tag for wide receivers in 2026 is $28 million, which would be about a $4 million increase from this year's price.

One way or another, Pickens will get paid this upcoming offseason.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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