FRISCO, Texas — Wide receiver George Pickens has officially put pen to paper on his $27.3 million franchise tag deal with the Dallas Cowboys, virtually guaranteeing the Pro Bowl player will attend required offseason activities as team leadership continues to insist they won’t consider trading CeeDee Lamb’s teammate.
The receiver notified Dallas of his intention to accept the one-year agreement just hours before the NFL draft began last week, which fueled rumors about a potential trade since executive vice president Stephen Jones had stated just one day prior that the organization wouldn’t pursue long-term contract negotiations with Pickens during this offseason.
The 25-year-old wideout, who came to Dallas through a trade with Pittsburgh last season, posted personal bests with 93 receptions, 1,429 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns as part of one of the NFL’s most productive offensive units. However, Dallas struggled defensively, ranking among the league’s worst units and finishing with a 7-9-1 record that left them out of playoff contention for consecutive seasons.
Pickens flourished playing opposite Lamb, who is entering his second season under a massive $136 million, four-year deal that places him third among NFL receivers with a $34 million annual average.
The franchise tag represented a significant financial motivation for Pickens, offering guaranteed compensation that dwarfs his previous earnings of $6.8 million over his entire rookie contract as a second-round selection from Georgia in 2022.
With the contract now signed, Pickens becomes eligible to join the voluntary offseason program that commenced this week.
Team owner and general manager Jerry Jones has consistently expressed throughout the offseason that the organization views Pickens as part of their long-term strategy. Jones indicated he wouldn’t have extended such a substantial offer under the franchise tag without confidence that Pickens will remain with Dallas beyond 2026.
The Cowboys have previously used the franchise tag with quarterback Dak Prescott and defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence over the past eight years, with both players eventually securing long-term agreements. Conversely, tight end Dalton Schultz and running back Tony Pollard each played under the tag before departing via free agency the following season.
Stephen Jones cited the “newness” of Pickens’ time with the Cowboys as a contributing factor in their choice to pursue a one-year arrangement rather than an extended contract at this time.
While Pickens demonstrated his abilities during three seasons in Pittsburgh, he also displayed concerning episodes of immature or disengaged conduct that prompted former coach Mike Tomlin to publicly question his development.
First-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer, following 25 years as an NFL assistant, has avoided publicly criticizing Pickens. However, both Pickens and Lamb faced discipline when they were benched for the opening series against Las Vegas after violating team curfew during a casino visit the previous evening.
