Cowboys place franchise tag on WR George Pickens

The Cowboys acquired Pickens and a 2027 sixth-round decide from the Pittsburgh Steelers for a 2026 third-rounder and a 2027 seventh-round choice.

Pickens, a former second-round decide, went on to have his most prolific marketing campaign in 2025, producing 93 catches, 1,429 yards and 9 touchdowns. Ensuring that manufacturing did not depart the constructing was a precedence for Dallas. With Pickens and Cee Dee Lamb collectively, Dak Prescott has the firepower for the Cowboys to stay an explosive, top-tier offense in 2026.

The query spinning ahead is whether or not the Cowboys, who’re presently over the wage cap, can strike a long-term take care of Pickens. Eight huge receivers make $30-plus million per season, together with Lamb’s $34 million, which means Pickens ought to be a large pay day on a multi-year extension. Another possibility to contemplate is buying and selling Pickens whereas he is on the franchise tag — the participant must signal the franchise tender for that to occur.

Until Pickens indicators the franchise tender, or a separate extension earlier than July 15, he isn’t thought-about underneath contract and could not be fined for lacking any necessary work this offseason.