Pickens shuts down trade rumours by signing Cowboys franchise tag

It's not the long-term contract he wanted, but George Pickens has signed his franchise tag with Dallas, committing to the Cowboys for the 2026 season.

The tender is worth $27.3 million, making him the 15th highest-paid wide receiver, tied with the Broncos' Courtland Sutton and Calvin Ridley of the Titans. 

The Cowboys' front office has made it clear they want him around long term, and Pickens wants to stay, but an extension never materialised.

The two sides now have another year to figure out the numbers on a deal that will keep him in Dallas beyond the 2026 campaign.

Pickens' $27.3m tag explained

Dallas placed the tag on Pickens back in February, then announced earlier this month that they won't negotiate an extension before the NFL's July 15 deadline.

The reasoning isn't overly complicated. CeeDee Lamb is already on a big contract. Paying two receivers top-of-market money at the same time is a stretch for any cap sheet, even one run by enigmatic Jerry Jones.

There's technically still a route to a deal before July 15 if Dallas changes its mind, but all signs point to that not happening.

Cowboys rubbish the trade rumours

The six days between Ian Rapoport reporting that Pickens planned to sign and his actually signing were enough to stoke rumours of a potential trade.

Stephen Jones killed them quickly. "We have no intention of moving George," the COO and co-owner said after Day 1 of the Draft.

"We're fired up about him signing his [tag], because it means he's ready to come in here and get to work... We have zero intention of moving [him]."

Jerry Jones said the same in March. Nobody inside The Star has wavered on this.

The delay had a pretty simple explanation. Adam Schefter outlined the reason on The Pat McAfee Show on Monday.

"It was draft weekend. Signing the tag immediately wasn't first thing on his mind."

Stacy Revere / Staff

Why Dallas want Pickens long-term

Pickens was traded from Pittsburgh last offseason for a third-rounder and a fifth for him and a sixth. It turned out to be a steal.

He had a career year with 93 catches, 1,429 yards, nine touchdowns and a first Pro Bowl selection, helping the Dallas offense to prolific numbers through the air.

And crucially, at 25, Pickens' best years are ahead of him yet.

What Pickens' tag means for Cowboys camps

By signing, Pickens has all but committed to attending the mandatory minicamp in June.

Voluntary workouts are a different matter. The Cowboys' offseason programme started this week, but there's no obligation on him to show up before June.