Pro Football Rumors
George Pickens is attached to the franchise tag for 2026. The Cowboys’ early and public stance that no negotiations on a long-term deal will take place cast doubt on his level of participation in Dallas’ offseason work, though.
Pickens was away from the team during OTAs, which are voluntary. An expectation nevertheless existed that the 25-year-old would report to mandatory minicamp. To no surprise, then, that will indeed be the case. Clarence Hill Jr. of DLLS Sports reports Pickens plans to attend this week’s practices.
“I expect he’ll be here,” head coach Brian Schottenheimer said earlier this month (via ESPN’s Todd Archer). “I think he’s in a good spot, but, again, I know he’s handling his business. I know he misses his teammates, [and] we miss him too. You know how we feel about him. We love him. This is just part of the business.”
Pickens was dealt from the Steelers to the Cowboys in advance of the final year on his rookie contract. He elected to play out the 2026 campaign without engaging in talks on a long-term pact. That approach seemed to be worthwhile, as the former second-rounder set career highs in several categories and was among the league leaders in catches (93), yards (1,429) and touchdowns (nine). Pickens was a key figure for a Cowboys offense which led the NFL in passing in 2025, and expectations will be high once again for the coming campaign.
The franchise tag will pay out $27.3MM, a figure which is guaranteed in full. Pickens and his camp have been attached to an asking price beginning at the $30MM-per-year mark, however, something 11 other receivers are attached to with respect to average annual value (although one of those is Brandon Aiyuk, whose release is looming). Pickens’ age and durability point to a big-money investment being viable on one hand. On the other, at least some of the off-field issues which were well-documented in Pittsburgh carried over into his first season with Dallas.
The Cowboys already have CeeDee Lamb under contract on a deal averaging $34MM annually. That, of course, is in addition to quarterback Dak Prescott‘s$60MM-per-year deal. Adding Pickens to the mix on a long-term agreement would present financial challenges, though the Cowboys’ outlook from a cap perspective obviously saw a notable change when the Micah Parsons trade took place.
Dallas’ minicamp will take place from June 16-18. Pickens would be subject to nearly $108K in fines in the event he elected to hold out, but as anticipated that will not be the case.
