George Pickens was a key player for the Dallas Cowboys in 2025. The Cowboys traded for him after he wore out his welcome with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who became disgruntled with Pickens’ antics after three years with the team.
The Cowboys’ bet paid off. But without a long-term deal, they’ll have an interesting time deciding what to do with Pickens in 2026.
What Did One Insider Float as a Tag-and-Trade Scenario for George Pickens Ahead of Free Agency?
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones took a risk after trading for Pickens. Knowing about his problems in Pittsburgh, Jones decided to let the receiver play out the final year of his rookie deal and talk about an extension later.
But Pickens was excellent. He finished the season with 93 receptions, 1,429 yards, and 9 touchdowns. His performances raised his price in free agency, and the Cowboys will have to pay a huge price to keep him in Dallas. A deal is unlikely to be reached, and naturally, the franchise tag becomes an option.
The Insiders on @NFLGameDay with @TomPelissero, @MikeGarafolo, and @JudyBattista: #Colts plan to open talks for Daniel Jones; #Bengals could franchise tag Trey Hendrickson; #Giants QB Russell Wilson’s future; #Cowboys will tag George Pickens, but could trade him. pic.twitter.com/R5lcNyorZY
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 8, 2026
But NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport believes that another scenario could come into play. Speaking from San Francisco, he declared that the Cowboys could tag-and-trade him for another team, recouping the pick used to acquire him in 2025.
“The Dallas Cowboys have great confidence in George Pickens. This offseason, he’s set to be a free agent. Obviously, the Cowboys are going to franchise tag him, we’ve known for quite some time.
“But that doesn’t necessarily mean that George Pickens is gonna stay in Dallas. My understanding is that a tag-and-trade scenario continues to be a possibility for Dallas, and another team would be able to lock Pickens up on a long-term deal.”
What’s The Market Value For George Pickens?
According to Spotrac, his market value is set at $30.6 million for the upcoming free agency. The franchise tag is set at $28 million for wide receivers; Pickens, however, is very unlikely to play under the tag due to the numbers he put in 2025.
Spotrac says that the Cowboys need to clear $31.4 million in cap space for 2026, with some hard decisions coming for the franchise until March. They also gave long-term deals to Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb in recent years.
Dallas would love to keep Pickens in 2026. But the price for an extension and their cap situation also make it possible that he’s playing for another team when next season starts. This will be one of the fascinating stories of the offseason.
