Dallas places franchise tag on WR George Pickens

The non-exclusive franchise tag was submitted to the NFL on Tuesday, keeping Pickens in Dallas. The deal is fully guaranteed and worth approximately $28 million, making him one of the highest-paid receivers in the league. Despite the move, the Cowboys can still negotiate a long-term contract with the 23-year-old standout.

Pickens enjoyed a breakout season in 2025, leading the team with 1,429 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. Teammates Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb have publicly pushed for a long-term deal. The Cowboys must now wait to see if they can reach an agreement before the deadline for franchise-tagged players to sign extensions passes.