Everything is pointing in the same direction for the [Dallas Cowboys](https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/dallas-cowboys) and George Pickens.
As long as fans don't believe it to be a jinx, it's a good sign as Pickens heads toward free agency.
Pretty much every report or analysis that comes out suggests that it makes sense for Pickens to return to the Cowboys.
From a football sense, it certainly does. He just had a career-best season while partnering with fellow star receiver CeeDee Lamb.
The challenge with Pickens will be price point, and whether a long-term contract can be reached or if it'll just be the franchise tag.
For what it's worth to add to the pile, [ESPN's Matt Bowen](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/47940120/2026-nfl-free-agency-best-team-fits-ranking-top-50-players-available-offseason) thinks the best fit for Pickens is a return to Dallas. Bowen ranks Pickens as his No. 2 free agent, behind just pass rusher Trey Hendrickson.
"All signs point to Pickens staying in Dallas after his breakout season in 2025 -- and it could happen with the franchise tag," Bowen writes. "With his explosive-play ability (22 receptions of 20 or more yards), Pickens can win on the boundary as a three-level target opposite CeeDee Lamb, giving quarterback Dak Prescott two premier targets in coach Brian Schottenheimer's system."
It would make sense for Dallas to at least give Pickens the franchise tag to start things off. That would prevent another club from swooping in to lure him away.
And once Pickens is conceptually tagged, that would create time for Jerry Jones and the Cowboys to figure out what a longer-term contract with him would look like.
Maybe Pickens would rather just go right to the long deal, but it probably won't shape up like that, and Dallas has to make sure he doesn't get away before moving on to what could be lengthy negotiations.
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