Cowboys lock receiver down through 2027 amid George Pickens uncertainty

Whether or not wide receiver George Pickens will remain with the Dallas Cowboys beyond the 2026 season is bound to be a major storyline that hovers over the club through at least January 2027.

On Friday morning, the Cowboys confirmed that they had locked a different receiver down. 

Cowboys plan to keep Ryan Flournoy via a team-friendly deal

Per Patrik Walker of the Cowboys' website, Dallas and 2024 sixth-round draft pick Ryan Flournoy agreed to a one-year extension that runs through the 2027 season. Previously, Todd Archer of ESPN shared that Flournoy's extension is worth up to $6M. 

"The team risked him to waivers in initial roster cutdowns in 2025, but he cleared them and ultimately returned to the Cowboys on their practice squad," Walker added about Flournoy's extension. "That contract was a new one, and not the four-year rookie deal he initially signed and, as such, it left Dallas with only a three-year deal and [a restricted free agent] opportunity in the fourth year."

ESPN stats show that Flournoy ended the 2025 season ranked fourth on the Cowboys with 40 receptions, fourth with 56 targets, fourth with 475 receiving yards and third with four touchdown catches. While he has no chance of leapfrogging either Pickens or advertised WR1 CeeDee Lamb on the Dallas depth chart as long as those two are healthy, the Flournoy extension nevertheless is somewhat of an interesting development as it pertains to Pickens' future. 

Is Ryan Flournoy an eventual replacement for George Pickens?

A June report indicated that people within the Cowboys viewed Flournoy as a potential future No. 2 option who could serve as a replacement for Pickens next year. The Cowboys retained Pickens' rights for 2026 via the franchise tag worth roughly $27.3M, and Archer is among those who have mentioned that Dallas could tag Pickens again in 2027 instead of signing the 25-year-old to a multiyear extension. 

For what it's worth, Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones recently said he envisions Pickens playing well for the club "this year and coming years. I emphasize that – coming years." Such comments make for interesting headlines during the summer months, but history shows they ultimately may mean nothing if Pickens fails to produce another stellar season with Dallas. 

As for Flournoy, he will now look to build additional chemistry with quarterback Dak Prescott, beginning with this weekend's "Sunday Night Football" game at the New York Giants.