The Dallas Cowboys are placing their franchise tag on star wide receiver George Pickens to ensure he remains with them into the 2026 season and beyond.
The 24-year-old has emerged as a key cog in the Dallas offense since his arrival from Pittsburgh last year, scoring nine touchdowns in his debut season with the team.
Jerry Jones has now made his move to ward off any potential suitors, with ESPN reporting that Pickens will be franchise tagged some time before the start of the new NFL league season in March.
The one-year, fully-guaranteed franchise tag will cost the Cowboys $28 million, with the plan beyond that to tie him down ‘for a long time’, according to Jones.
The tag will limit Pickens’ free agent options at the end of the final year of his rookie contract, as he goes in search of a big-money long-term deal.
Speaking to the Cowboys website recently, Jones said of Pickens: ‘I’m talking to [him] all the time by virtue of my excitement for him.
George Pickens will be franchise tagged, keeping him with the Cowboys for at least 2026
WR Pickens scored nine touchdowns for the Cowboys in his debut year, a career high
Jerry Jones, pictured on Saturday night in San Francisco, will pay Pickens $28 million
‘He’s better than, as far as what he contributed to our team, showing the potential that he could contribute. I’m looking forward to getting things worked out so George can be a Cowboy a long time.’
This season he caught 90 passes for 1,409 yards and nine touchdowns, four more than his best ever campaign for the Steelers.
It is set to be a vital offseason for Dallas, who currently have 15 unrestricted free agents, including Pickens, Jadeveon Clowney and Javonte Williams.
Speaking at the Pro Bowl in San Francisco this week, the team’s QB1 Dak Prescott spoke openly about how important it is to keep Pickens on the roster.
‘I think it must be done,’ he told reporters. ‘I think obviously from Jerry to everybody down understands that, and one the impact on this offense and the team and the great player that he is. We’ve got to find a way to keep him here.’
