Although the Dallas Cowboys placed the franchise tag on George Pickens this Friday, there's no guarantee the All-Pro wide receiver will be on their roster when Week 1 comes around.
Pickens had a sensational 2025 season with the Cowboys, hauling in 93 passes for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns. There's no question he was worth the 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick that Dallas gave up to get him from the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, it's unclear if he'll be part of the team's long-term plans.
Since the Cowboys used the franchise tag on Pickens, he's currently set to earn $27.298 million next season. Interestingly enough, ESPN reported that he received the nonexclusive tag designation. That means teams could talk to him when free agency begins on March 11.
"Should Pickens sign an offer sheet with another team, the Cowboys will have the right to match the offer or decline to do so and receive two first-round draft picks as compensation," ESPN's Todd Archer said.
Nov 27, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens (3) celebrates after catching a pass for a successful two-point conversion against the Kansas City Chiefs during the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, meanwhile, reported that Pickens isn't expected to report to the Cowboys' facility until he signs a long-term deal.
"Don't expect him to sign the tag yet," Rapoport said. "I would also wonder if there is another team that wants to give a premium draft pick and sign Pickens to a long-term deal themselves."
Who will pursue George Pickens?
Back in December, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler mentioned the Baltimore Ravens and the Kansas City Chiefs as potential suitors for Pickens. He said both AFC teams are in desperate need of a No. 1 wide receiver.
"The Chiefs and Ravens both need a classic boundary receiver on the outside and could address that with one big move in free agency. George Pickens would be a significant upgrade in Baltimore," Fowler wrote. "… Pickens might be franchise-tagged by Dallas. But if available, the Ravens could use some of their $40 million in 2026 cap space on Pickens, knowing John Harbaugh is good at managing big personalities."
If either the Chiefs or Ravens are willing to part ways with draft picks, they could potentially acquire Pickens this offseason.
For now though, Pickens is set to return to the Cowboys for the 2026 season.
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