The Dallas Cowboys made it official on Friday. Pro Bowl wide receiver George Pickens will not be hitting the open market this offseason. The Cowboys placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Pickens, locking him in for the 2026 season on a one-year deal worth approximately $28 million, per the team’s official announcement.
The move was widely expected, but now it carries real weight. Negotiations toward a long-term extension can continue through July 15, and both sides have publicly expressed wanting that outcome.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport confirmed the tag via his post on X.
The #Cowboys have officially franchise tagged star WR George Pickens. No surprise, but now a reality. pic.twitter.com/yRdHEpcm0F
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 27, 2026
Pickens came to Dallas last year via a trade from the Pittsburgh Steelers. His first season with the Cowboys was nothing short of remarkable. He posted career highs across the board, recording 93 catches, 1,429 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns on 137 targets.
He also earned his first Pro Bowl selection and second-team All-Pro honors. Five of his games went past 130 receiving yards with a touchdown catch, setting a Cowboys franchise record.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has made no secret of his intentions. Speaking to reporters, Jones said:
“I’m talking to George all the time by virtue of my excitement for him. He’s better than, as far as what he contributed to our team, showing the potential that he could contribute. I’m looking forward to getting things worked out so George can be a Cowboy a long time.”
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer spoke from the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. He told reporters:
“My relationship with GP doesn’t change. Just like it didn’t change with CeeDee or Dak when those guys were going through certain things. It’s all part of the process. It’s the business side of it. GP loves football.”
What the Tag Means
Dallas Cowboys, George Pickens, NFL
Nov 27, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens (3) celebrates by eating turkey after the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Pairing Pickens’s $28 million tag with All-Pro CeeDee Lamb’s $34 million annual salary means the Cowboys will carry the NFL’s second-most expensive wide receiver duo at a combined $62 million annually. Only the Cincinnati Bengals, paying Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins a combined $69 million, spend more.
That is a significant number on a roster that already has Dak Prescott commanding the highest quarterback salary in the league.
Long-Term Deal Still Possible Before the July 15 Deadline
The tag used here is non-exclusive, meaning Pickens can negotiate with other teams when free agency opens on March 11. If he signs an offer sheet elsewhere and Dallas declines to match, the Cowboys would receive two first-round picks as compensation.
That scenario feels unlikely given everything both sides have said publicly.
One layer worth watching involves Pickens’s agent, David Mulugheta, who also represents pass rusher Micah Parsons. The Cowboys’ contentious history with Mulugheta over Parsons’s deal, which eventually led to a trade, adds some friction to what the Cowboys hope is a smoother process this time around.
Dallas also has defensive needs to address in free agency and will restructure existing contracts to create cap room.
With Pickens secured for 2026, the Cowboys have the offensive core they want. Whether they can keep it together long-term at a price that works for both sides is the real story still unfolding.