Cowboys' Stephen Jones: We know George Pickens is going to be here
Cowboys' Stephen Jones: We know George Pickens is going to be here
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAYMon, February 23, 2026 at 8:10 PM UTC
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Cowboys' Stephen Jones: We know George Pickens is going to be here
Don’t expect George Pickens to become a free agent.
USA TODAY Sports predicted the wide receiver would remain in Dallas at least for next season. Cowboys chief operating officer and co-owner Stephen Jones confirmed the team plans to place Pickens under the franchise tag – at least for now.
Jones told a group of reporters at the NFL combine the Cowboys will franchise tag Pickens as they continue to negotiate a long-term extension.
“I wouldn’t put any timeframe (on a contract),” Jones told reporters. “Once you have a tag, you have a tag. We know George is going to be here.”
Pickens is coming off career-high year. He notched single-season bests in catches (93), receiving yards (1,429) and touchdown grabs (9). He was named a second-team All-Pro for the first time in his career.
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The Cowboys traded for Pickens prior to the 2025 season hoping he wouldn’t be just a one-hit wonder.
The franchise tag for wide receivers is worth approximately $28.8 million, per Over The Cap.
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The tag is a safety net for the Cowboys as they don’t want to lose one of their best players in free agency. However, coming to an agreement on a long-term extension could present some challenges.
Dallas is already paying wideout CeeDee Lamb an average annual salary of $34 million. The Cincinnati Bengals are the only team in the NFL paying two wide receivers more than $28 million per season.
Another factor is Pickens is represented by agent David Mulugheta. Mulugheta also represents Micah Parsons. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and Mulugheta were at a standstill last year when Parsons was seeking an extension. Jerry Jones believed he and Parsons had a deal without speaking to Parsons’ agent. Contract talks broke down and Parsons was ultimately traded to the Green Bay Packers.
It remains to be seen if the Cowboys and Mulugheta can come to a long-term contract agreement for Pickens. Though, the Cowboys do plan for Pickens to be in Dallas for 2026.
“We want Pickens here. Think the world of him,” Stephen Jones said. “I want him here. I love him and I think he wants to be here. All that is a plus.”
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: George Pickens to get Dallas Cowboys franchise tag
Source: “AOL Sports”
