George Pickens
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Wide receiver George Pickens and his agent set a clear goal to the Dallas Cowboys on when they want contract negotiations to begin.
The Dallas Cowboys have an upcoming deadline with wide receiver George Pickens. The team has until March 3 to place the franchise tag on Pickens to secure his rights for the 2026 NFL season.
The overwhelming expectation is that will happen.
But the bigger question is whether the Cowboys will meet the first deadline the receiver and his agents are indirectly imposing on the franchise.
The Dallas Morning News’ Calvin Watkins reported Monday that Pickens and his representation are aiming to start long-term contract negotiations during the NFL combine.
“Pickens’ agents want to start contract talks at the combine, which starts next week in Indianapolis,” Watkins wrote. “Hopefully, contract talks will go smoothly for both sides because if you get Pickens into the offseason program and training camp on time, then you begin Year 2 of Brian Schottenheimer’s tenure on the right path.”
The 2026 NFL Combine will take place February 26-March 1. It’s the first significant event in the league following the Super Bowl.
Pickens is a pending unrestricted free agent this offseason. He completed the fourth year of his rookie contract in 2025, which was the best statistical season of his young career.
Projecting Market Value for WR George Pickens
Pickens clearly showcased his talent throughout his first four seasons. But with the Cowboys in 2025, he began fulfilling his potential.
In 17 games, he registered career bests of 93 catches, 1,429 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. Behind those totals, he made second-team All-Pro and his first Pro Bowl.
Those statistics should significant raise Pickens’ contract value this offseason.
Spotract projected Pickens to be worth $30.6 million on an average annual basis with a four-year contract. The total value of such a deal would be about $122.43 million.
That’s actually more than what the franchise tag tender might pay Pickens in 2026. The franchise tag for a receiver is projected to be about $28 million.
Cowboys Face Critical Contract Situation With Pickens
From Dallas’s perspective, it could actually be beneficial for the team to have Pickens play on his one-year tender. Not only would the team not have to commit to the receiver long term, their 2026 cap situation could be better with the one-year deal.
But Pickens isn’t going to play on the one-year tender. That’s essentially what Watkins implied Monday.
Watkins also strongly argued the Cowboys need a win in contract negotiations. Not from a money standpoint but from a fan and player goodwill point of view.
“When it comes to Pickens, franchising him is just the start of what could be a long offseason of drama, but this can be avoided,” wrote Watkins.
“For one thing, franchising Pickens isn’t bringing him to the team facility anytime soon. When he gets his deal done, he’ll be in attendance. Similar to how [Ceedee] Lamb handled things, even the now-retired Zack Martin acted this way when he wanted some more money added to his contract. Show up when the money’s right.”
Paying Pickens a high salary along with what the team is already paying CeeDee Lamb is a concern for some pundits. As is giving the often-portrayed immature Pickens a lot of money.
Watkins, though, poked holes in those arguments.
“When it comes to the money, the Cowboys can create at least $80 million in cap space with the restructure of four players and with some cuts, and more restructures, push those numbers to nearly $100 million,” wrote Watkins.
Watkins even used Cowboys owner Jerry Jones’s own words in his argument.
“Jones said as long as Pickens cares about the team, he believes he does, along with his teammates, being late to meetings and whatnot, ‘that’s forgivable,'” added Watkins.
The Cowboys can avoid the Micah Parsons drama with Pickens. But to do so, contract talks with the receiver might have to start next week.