FRISCO, Texas — Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens intends to accept the team’s $27.3 million franchise tag offer following the organization’s announcement that it won’t pursue a multi-year agreement this offseason, according to two sources familiar with the situation who spoke Thursday.
While Pickens hasn’t yet put pen to paper on the one-year, fully guaranteed deal, he plans to finalize the matter as Dallas prepares for the upcoming NFL draft, sources told The Associated Press under anonymity since the contract remains unofficial.
This development follows Wednesday’s comments from executive vice president of personnel Stephen Jones, who indicated the Cowboys expected Pickens to play under the franchise designation this season. The two parties would have had until July 15 to negotiate a longer-term arrangement.
Accepting the franchise tag means Pickens faces potential fines for missing mandatory minicamp in June or training camp in July. However, signing the deal enables the 25-year-old to take part in the team’s offseason program, which begins Monday.
The receiver, obtained last offseason through a trade with Pittsburgh, posted personal bests with 93 receptions, 1,429 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns while contributing to one of the NFL’s top offensive units last season. Despite the offensive success, Dallas struggled defensively and finished 7-9-1, extending their playoff absence to two consecutive seasons.
The former Georgia standout, selected in the second round of the 2022 draft, flourished playing opposite CeeDee Lamb, who is entering his second season of a four-year, $136 million extension that places him third among NFL receivers with a $34 million annual average.
The franchise tag represents significant financial motivation for Pickens, as the guaranteed sum far exceeds the $6.8 million he earned throughout his entire four-year rookie contract.
Dallas has previously used the franchise tag with quarterback Dak Prescott and defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence over the past eight years before eventually securing long-term commitments. Conversely, tight end Dalton Schultz and running back Tony Pollard both played under the tag before departing via free agency the following season.
Jones cited the “newness” of Pickens’ time with the Cowboys as a contributing factor in the organization’s preference for a one-year arrangement rather than an extended contract.
During his three seasons in Pittsburgh, Pickens displayed exceptional ability but also exhibited enough concerning behavior that former coach Mike Tomlin publicly questioned his maturity level.
First-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer, who spent 25 years as an NFL assistant, avoided publicly criticizing Pickens throughout his inaugural season. However, both Pickens and Lamb were benched for the opening series against Las Vegas after violating curfew during a casino visit the previous evening.
