Cowboys finalise Pickens’ 2026 season under $27.3 million franchise tag
Dallas Cowboys adhere to strategy outlined at April’s NFL Draft, leaving George Pickens on the non-exclusive tag for the upcoming campaign.
The Dallas Cowboys have confirmed that wide receiver George Pickens will play the 2026 season under a $27.3 million franchise tag. The decision follows the expiration of the NFL’s self-imposed deadline for long-term contract negotiations at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, which passed without an agreement between the player and the club.
Pickens has officially signed the franchise tender, securing his contract for the upcoming season. The outcome aligns with the Cowboys’ stated strategy, which was clarified during the April NFL Draft when the organisation indicated it did not intend to negotiate a long-term extension for the wide receiver.
Speaking after the first day of mandatory minicamp, Pickens expressed readiness to proceed with the tag. “Like the tag and all that, it's just football first,” Pickens said. “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 25-year-old joined the Cowboys from the Pittsburgh Steelers ahead of the 2025 season. In that previous year, he recorded career highs with 93 catches, 1,429 yards, and nine touchdowns, establishing himself as a key offensive asset for the franchise.
The Cowboys are scheduled to begin their 2026 season on 13 September with a divisional matchup against the New York Giants. This move contrasts with recent developments elsewhere in the league, such as the New Orleans Saints reaching a long-term agreement with running back Alvin Kamara, highlighting the varying approaches teams are taking with their star players.
