Cowboys lock in George Pickens with $27.3M franchise tag despite failing to reach long-term contract

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TheDallas Cowboysannounced George Pickens has signed his franchise tag for the 2026 season.

Pickens has now guaranteed himself $27.3 million this season after his breakout first year with the Cowboys in 2025.

Though the Cowboys and Pickens couldn’t reach a long-term deal, Cowboys CEO Stephen Jones maintains the team has no intention of trading the 25-year-old receiver for the upcoming campaign.

George Pickens of the Dallas Cowboys looking on at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas

George Pickens of the Dallas Cowboys after his team’s 33-16 victory against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas Nov.17, 2025.(Ian Maule/Getty Images)

A report came out before theNFL Draftlast week stating Pickens intended on signing the tag, though it wasn’t finalized until the announcement April 29.

It was widely thought that Dallas and Pickens would negotiate a long-term deal, especially with team owner Jerry Jones stating at the NFL’s annual meeting that the Cowboys had “long-term plans” for the Pro Bowler, perYahoo Sports.

COWBOYS ANNOUNCE DECISION ON GEORGE PICKENS’ CONTRACT STATUS AS HE SEEKS MAJOR DEAL

While the franchise tag could be viewed as a placeholder for a long-term deal to materialize at some point before the season, the Cowboys announced earlier this month they wouldn’t negotiate long-term deals with franchise-tagged players before the July 15 deadline.

Pickens, likely realizing the Cowboys’ stance, went with the $27.3 million guarantee.

The Cowboys’ move for Pickens last offseason in a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers proved a success despite the team missing the playoffs in head coach Brian Schottenheimer’s first year.

George Pickens of the Dallas Cowboys stretching on the field at Ford Field in Detroit

George Pickens of the Dallas Cowboys stretches before a game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Detroit, Mich., on Dec.4, 2025.(Michael Owens/Getty Images)

Pickens was a second-team All-Pro, hauling in 93 receptions from quarterback Dak Prescott for 1,429 yards with nine touchdowns in 17 games.

It was clear the Cowboys’ pass attack was one of the most lethal in the NFL, as Pickens worked alongsideCeeDee Lamb, tight end Jake Ferguson and other weapons that stood out, including Ryan Flournoy, who had a breakout season.

Lamb was also paid, signing a four-year deal worth $136 million, which makes him the fourth highest-paid receiver in the league.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens eating turkey in celebration at AT&T Stadium

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens celebrates a Thanksgiving Day win by eating turkey after the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at AT&T Stadium on Nov.27, 2025.(Kevin Jairaj/Imagn Images)

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Seattle Seahawksstar Jaxon Smith-Njigba reset the highest-paid receiver in NFL history record with a $168.8 million deal with $120 million guaranteed after his Super Bowl-winning campaign that saw the 24-year-old win Offensive Player of the Year.

The Cowboys know how great Pickens and Lamb are together, but shelling out money for two top-market receivers isn’t the easiest on the books.With the franchise tag, Pickens will be the 15th highest-paid receiver in the NFL at the start of the 2026 season.

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