The Dallas Cowboys and owner Jerry Jones face a pivotal decision regarding star wide receiver George Pickens as the NFL franchise tag window approaches.
While reports suggest the organization is prepared to use the tag to prevent him from reaching free agency, league insiders are warning that the path forward may not be as straightforward as it appears.
According to ESPN insider Adam Schefter, the Cowboys are likely to apply the franchise tag to Pickens, which would lock him into a one-year deal worth approximately $28 million.
The tag window opens February 17 and runs through March 3. Such a move would ensure that Jones retains control over one of his most dynamic offensive weapons, at least for the 2026 season.
The projection follows a career-best year for Pickens. After being acquired from the Pittsburgh Steelers, he delivered 93 receptions on 137 targets for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns.
His partnership with fellow standout CeeDee Lamb transformed the Cowboys‘ passing attack into one of the league’s most formidable. Together, the duo created matchup nightmares, frequently freeing each other from double coverage.
A plan emerges for Jerry Jones
However, during a recent discussion, NFL insiders Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport explored a more complex scenario.
While both acknowledged that applying the franchise tag appears likely, Rapoport floated the possibility of tagging Pickens and then trading him for premium draft capital-potentially a second-round pick.
Describing such a return as “incredible value,” Rapoport referenced the Cowboys‘ history of leveraging star talent for draft assets.
But Garafolo urged restraint. “I get that part of it. And yeah, you would look at that and say, OK, that was a net positive,” Garafolo replied when Rapoport floated the idea that Pickens can attract hefty draft capital once tagged.
“At some point, though, you’re trading for players, and you’re acquiring players with the thought of them being parts of a potential championship team. And you’re not going to get there if you keep trading them away.
“And we talked about how much Pickens freed up things for CeeDee Lamb and vice versa. So if you trade him away, now you’re back to who’s going to complement C.D. Lamb. Just proceed with caution.”
Can Pickens help deliver a Super Bowl?
The ultimate objective in Dallas remains capturing the Lombardi Trophy, something that has eluded them for 30 years.
The risk attached to moving on from Pickens is that it could undermine offensive continuity and reset progress achieved through his chemistry with Lamb.
Reports indicate that Jones is determined not to allow Pickens to test free agency this offseason. Applying the tag would buy time for long-term negotiations while preserving roster stability.
Yet the franchise tag also carries financial implications, consuming significant cap space and potentially complicating future roster-building strategies.
If the Cowboys carry genuine ambitions to return to the top, allowing Pickens to join a rival in a year’s time may not be the wisest move.
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