George Pickens had a fantastic season in his new home. The wide receiver enjoyed the best year of his career with the Dallas Cowboys, joining the team after an offseason trade. The caveat is that he did not sign an extension after the trade, and he’s set to become a free agent in March.
George Pickens Becomes a Problem for the Cowboys During the Offseason
The Cowboys certainly won’t let Pickens go. The trade worked out beautifully for them. He was traded for a third-round pick, along with a swap of late-round picks, and his impact was clear. Pickens finished the season with 93 receptions, 1,429 yards, and 9 touchdowns, leading the team in all categories.
At the time of the trade, reports stated that the two sides decided to wait until after the season to discuss a deal. A fantastic season strengthened Pickens’ hand; he’ll now look for a deal close to the top of the market, and this could turn into a tricky situation for Dallas.
ESPN reporter Jeremy Fowler polled industry sources around the NFL and asked how the 2026 season would go. A contract dispute between Pickens and the Cowboys emerged as a possibility; he’s known for his abrasive personality, and the franchise tag might not go down well with him.
“The Cowboys are expected to franchise-tag Pickens, which would pay him around $28 million next season. But Pickens will want a long-term deal above that number, and if Dallas doesn’t give him that, some around the league wonder whether he stays away from the team for a large portion of the offseason or even training camp.
“I just don’t see him, coming off the season he had, welcoming the tag with open arms,” a veteran AFC coach said.”
Pickens is unlikely to embrace the franchise tag, and he would be unwise to do so. Spotify projects the receiver to sign a four-year, $122.4 million contract after a fantastic season. He would want the financial security to remain in Dallas for the long term.
The problem for Dallas is the cap space available. They already handed long-term extensions to Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb in 2024. Giving a big contract to another wide receiver would complicate the talent pool around the rest of the roster.
It’s a good problem to have, but it’s still a problem. Our PFSN’s NFL WR Impact Metric ranked Pickens as the No. 3 receiver this season, behind only Puka Nacua and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The Cowboys will also try to protect themselves from a big payday after a breakout season.
