The Dallas Cowboys have applied the franchise tag to wide receiver George Pickens, securing him for the 2026 season with a projected $28.8 million contract. The move comes after Pickens had a breakout season following his trade from Pittsburgh, recording career-high numbers in catches, receiving yards, and touchdowns.
Dallas has applied the franchise tag to wide receiver George Pickens this Friday, a strategic decision that will likely secure the player approximately $30 million for the 2026 season as both parties negotiate a potential long-term agreement.
According to a source familiar with the situation who spoke anonymously to The Associated Press, the Cowboys will utilize the non-exclusive franchise tag option. This approach allows Pickens to enter discussions with other NFL teams, though Dallas retains the right to match any competing offers since the tag details have not been officially announced.
The franchise tag application was anticipated since autumn 2024, when Pickens began demonstrating exceptional performance during his standout 2025 campaign after arriving via trade from Pittsburgh, where his professional journey had experienced challenges.
Based on overthecap.com projections, the single-year agreement under the franchise tag designation is estimated at $28.8 million for wide receivers. Both the Cowboys organization and Pickens have until July 15 to reach terms on an extended contract that would supersede the one-year arrangement.
Should Pickens choose to sign with another organization and Dallas opts not to exercise their matching rights under the non-exclusive terms, the franchise would receive compensation equivalent to two first-round draft selections.
While the financial terms become guaranteed upon Pickens signing the single-year deal, he risks potential fines for missing required offseason minicamp sessions or training camp activities if he holds out seeking a more favorable contract.
The receiver, who celebrates his 25th birthday this Wednesday, achieved personal bests last season with 93 receptions, 1,429 receiving yards, and nine touchdown catches as part of one of the NFL’s top offensive units. Despite their offensive success, Dallas struggled defensively and concluded the season with a 7-9-1 record, extending their playoff absence to two consecutive years.
The former Georgia standout, selected in the second round of the 2022 draft, excelled playing alongside CeeDee Lamb, who recently entered the second season of his four-year, $136 million extension. Lamb’s deal currently positions him as the third-highest paid receiver in the league with a $34 million annual average.
Lamb’s contract negotiations resulted in him missing all offseason activities and training camp in 2024 as he held out before signing his extension approximately two weeks prior to the season’s start.
The franchise tag was unavailable for Lamb’s situation because he was entering his fifth-year option, an automatic provision included in all first-round rookie contracts. Second-round selections like Pickens receive four-year deals, and he earned $6.8 million throughout his initial contract.
During his three seasons in Pittsburgh, Pickens displayed considerable athletic ability, but also exhibited concerning behavioral issues that prompted former head coach Mike Tomlin to publicly question his professional maturity.
The Steelers eventually traded Pickens to Dallas in exchange for a third-round draft selection and additional late-round pick swaps between the organizations.
First-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer, who spent 25 years as an NFL assistant before his promotion, avoided publicly criticizing Pickens throughout the season. However, both Pickens and Lamb faced discipline when they were benched for the opening series against Las Vegas after violating team curfew during a casino visit the previous evening.
The Cowboys have also secured running back Javonte Williams with a three-year, $24 million contract extension as a free agent.
Similar to Pickens, the 25-year-old Williams revitalized his professional trajectory during his inaugural Dallas season. His 1,201 rushing yards marked the highest total for a Cowboys running back since two-time rushing champion Ezekiel Elliott accumulated 1,357 yards in 2019.