George Pickens signs franchise tag, Cowboys debunk trade rumors
FRISCO, Texas — George Pickens and the Dallas Cowboys have come to terms With the actual fact he’ll enter the 2026 NFL season below the franchise tag, talks of a long-term deal being halted till subsequent offseason. And now the Pro Bowl vast receiver has signed his franchise tag as veterans start reporting to the crew’s facility to start voluntary exercises.
The signing additionally absolutely ensures Pickens’ wage at $27.3 million for the approaching season, and likewise means Pickens understands and is keen to be current for obligatory minicamp in June, or danger being fined for absences.
The timing of the information — arriving solely hours forward of the beginning of the 2026 NFL Draft — led to hypothesis from exterior the constructing that the Cowboys and Pickens have been on the verge of parting methods, however the crew’s entrance workplace says that could not be farther from the reality, and that they are, in reality, being pleasantly stunned Pickens has deliberate to signal his tag so quickly.
“We have no intention of moving George,” chief working officer and co-owner Stephen Jones stated within the press convention following Day 1 of the NFL Draft. We’re fired up about him signing his [tag]as a result of it means he is prepared to return in right here and get to work. …We have zero intention of shifting [him]”
This isn’t a new stance, but instead one that hammers home what owner and general manager Jerry Jones, as well as head coach Brian Schottenheimer, have repeatedly stated over the past several weeks when asked about Pickens’ future in Dallas.
“Make no mistake about it, we’ve long-term plans in thoughts for Pickens,” Jerry Jones said from the league meetings in late March.
As noted, Schottenheimer joins the Joneses in being in lockstep about Pickens.
“GP loves it right here [and] we love GP,” Schottenheimer said at the league meetings. “We have plans for GP to be right here for a very long time, so we’ll let the enterprise aspect of this factor play out and see the place it goes.”
Pickens has often made it clear he wants to remain in Dallas, his relationship within the locker room — most especially with All-Pro quarterback Dak Prescott and All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (whom he has spent a lot of time this offseason with) — and the coaching staff taking center stage for a player who once carried an unfavorable narrative from his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The need of getting a deal finished is mutual, however paused, and the Cowboys will proceed their efforts within the NFL Draft whereas now excitedly anticipating Pickens to be current for obligatory minicamp in June, and probably voluntary exercises in May.
