Wednesday's 4 p.m. ET deadline to sign long-term contracts has come and gone, meaning any players seeking a major deal will be playing under a franchise tag. Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens fits that bill.
The 25-year-old will play the 2026 season on his $27.3 million franchise tag, per ESPN, something he said last month that he was ready to do. Pickens signed his franchise tender and is under contract for the upcoming season.
A tag was the expected result, as the Cowboys said at April's NFL Draft that they didn't plan on negotiating a long-term deal.
"Nothing [has changed]. We have no intention of moving George," Stephen Jones said after the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. "Obviously, in our mind, we're fired up about it, and he's ready to come in here and sign his tender. In our mind, that means go to work. Now, we'll see, but so far everything's been outstanding. Our communication with George, Coach Schottenheimer and Jerry, our communication with David Mulugheta has been very cordial and upbeat. ... We have zero intention of moving George Pickens."
Pickens joined the Cowboys from the Pittsburgh Steelers ahead of the 2025 season. He put up his best numbers last season, with career highs in catches (93), yards (1,429) and touchdowns (9).
"Like the tag and all that, it's just football first," Pickens said after the first day of mandatory minicamp. "So, definitely play football first, kind of like I did last year, and then worry about [the contract] ... Well, let my agent worry about it, really."
The Cowboys will begin their season on Sept. 13 in a divisional game against the New York Giants.
