The Dallas Cowboys are moving closer to a major offseason decision on star wide receiver George Pickens, with executive vice president Stephen Jones confirming the team is “leaning” toward using the franchise tag on the former Pittsburgh Steelers standout.
Speaking from the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on February 20, 2026, Jones openly addressed the risks and realities of the tag, including the possibility of Pickens skipping offseason programs, minicamp, or even parts of training camp.
Nov 17, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens (3) runs after the catch against the Las Vegas Raiders defends during the second half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Nov 17, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens (3) runs after the catch against the Las Vegas Raiders defends during the second half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Dallas Cowboys Leaning Toward Franchise Tag on George Pickens: Stephen Jones Acknowledges Potential Fallout Ahead of March 3 Deadline
Jones told reporters (via ESPN):
“It crosses your mind. I mean a lot of the guys we’ve tagged participated in everything, Dak (Prescott) leading the way. He played under two of them. He never missed anything. Hopefully that’ll be the case here.”
The Cowboys have until March 3, 2026 (4 p.m. ET) to place the non-exclusive franchise tag on Pickens, which would pay him approximately $28 million for the 2026 season. Before that deadline, Dallas plans to meet with Pickens’ agents (Trevon Smith and David Mulugheta of Athletes First) this week in Indianapolis to discuss a potential long-term extension.
To date, no formal contract talks have been reported by the two sides.
Why the Cowboys Are Considering the Tag for George Pickens
Pickens, acquired via trade before the 2025 season, emerged as one of Dallas’ top offensive weapons in his first year with the team. The 24-year-old posted strong numbers despite the Cowboys’ overall struggles, making him a priority to retain.
The franchise tag serves as a safety net if long-term talks stall, but it carries risks:
Player holdouts or limited participation (as seen league-wide with tagged players).
Cap implications: The ~$28M figure counts fully against Dallas’ 2026 cap, already projected to be tight.
Potential trade leverage loss if Pickens is tagged and unhappy.
Jones emphasized the team’s awareness of the fallout while remaining optimistic:
“Hopefully that’ll be the case here.”
What’s Next for George Pickens and the Cowboys
Combine Meetings: The upcoming discussions in Indianapolis will be pivotal in gauging whether a long-term deal is realistic or if the tag becomes necessary.
Market Value: Pickens is projected to command top-tier WR money long-term (~$20M+ AAV), making the tag a short-term bridge.
Cowboys’ Offseason Priorities: With cap constraints, retaining Pickens while addressing other needs (defense, OL depth) will be a balancing act for Jerry Jones and the front office.
The franchise tag window opens February 18, 2026, giving Dallas a narrow window to negotiate before the March 3 deadline.
Cowboys fans: Smart to tag Pickens and buy time, or risky given potential holdout drama? Do you want to see a long-term extension locked in? Share your thoughts below—this could be one of Dallas’ biggest offseason decisions!
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