The Dallas Cowboys face a critical decision regarding George Pickens, who just posted 1,429 receiving yards and nine touchdowns during the 2025 NFL season.
With the franchise tag deadline approaching and long-term contract talks still stalled, the team must determine whether to secure him for 2026 or risk losing leverage in negotiations.
Starting Tuesday, February 17, teams can designate franchise tags, and for Dallas, Pickens is the obvious candidate. The tag, projected between $27 million and $28 million, would lock him in for 2026 if no multi-year agreement is reached by March 3.
Acquired from the Pittsburgh Steelers in May 2025, Pickens was traded alongside a 2027 sixth-round pick in exchange for Dallas’ 2026 third-round and 2027 fifth-round selections. He immediately became a focal point in the Cowboys’ passing attack, setting career highs in receptions, yardage, and touchdowns, earning his first Pro Bowl selection and second-team All-Pro honors. His breakout season underscores his value to the franchise, creating pressure to secure him long-term.
The franchise tag guarantees a substantial one-year salary but provides no long-term security. While it is often used as leverage toward a multi-year contract, it counts fully against the team’s salary cap, potentially limiting flexibility for other roster needs. If Pickens signs immediately, he would be guaranteed $28 million for 2026. However, he may delay signing to maintain negotiating leverage, as Dallas typically begins talks around the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis.
The Legacy of Franchise Tag Challenges
History shows that first-time franchise tag agreements can be complicated. The last successful negotiation for Dallas came in 2015 when Dez Bryant signed a five-year, $70 million deal minutes before the July 15 deadline. Others, like Dalton Schultz and Tony Pollard, played out their tags in 2022-23 before leaving via free agency. Even established stars such as DeMarcus Lawrence and Dak Prescott only reached agreements after a second franchise tag, highlighting the risk of early long-term negotiations.
The 2025 holdout of Micah Parsons still looms over Dallas, serving as a cautionary tale. Parsons skipped practices before ultimately being traded to the Green Bay Packers. Similarly, Pickens risks impacting both his 2026 production and potential 2027 earnings if he delays signing the franchise tender. Unlike veterans Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, or Parsons, Pickens has spent less than a year in Dallas, limiting the personal rapport that often eases tag negotiations.
While a trade remains an option, Pickens must first sign the franchise tender for Dallas to control potential destinations. For now, the franchise must carefully weigh his elite performance against salary cap constraints and long-term roster strategy. Whether Pickens will be on the field for the season opener on September 3, 2026, remains uncertain-but if he is, the Cowboys could be setting their sights on Super Bowl LXI on February 14, 2027.
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