Cowboys make franchise tag decision for WR George Pickens

Still, Pickens had the kind of season that would make receiver-needy teams consider that price tag. In 2025, Pickens recorded a career high of 1,429 receiving yards — the third most in the league last year — and nine touchdowns. He was the lone star of the receiving corps, as the Cowboys typical No. 1 wide receiver, CeeDee Lamb, had an atypical down year by his standards, catching just three touchdown passes and missing the top-10 in receiving yards (1,077). 

While two first-round picks are high-level compensation, it might be worse for the team to lose Pickens, especially as the pressure mounts on team owner and general manager Jerry Jones to build a roster that can end the team's Super Bowl drought.

It will also be important for the Cowboys to make sure Pickens doesn't hold out if they can't get a long-term deal done. A season after defensive star Micah Parsons made a circus of the preseason in protest of his contract situation, the Cowboys can ill afford a repeat disaster. 

However, Pickens isn't a bona fide star like Parsons is. His talent is undeniable, but 2025 was the first season he posted a receiving success rate above 50% (65.0%). He's known to attract negative attention as well. Just last season, he got into a social media spat with Seattle Seahawks great Richard Sherman after the "Thursday Night Football" broadcaster criticized his play. Pickens has also gotten into real fights on the field; he's not one to mask his emotions.

With all that in mind, Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer wants Pickens to remain in Dallas, and to Pickens' credit, he put up an impressive season in his first year with the Cowboys. The new season will be an opportunity for Pickens to prove his success is consistent and put himself in a position to negotiate a bigger payday in 2027.