The Dallas Cowboys have some tough decisions to make during the 2026 offseason, and what to do with George Pickens has quickly become one of the most important ones. After acquiring him and watching him explode into one of the league’s most productive wide receivers, Dallas now has to decide whether that partnership was a one-year experiment, or something worth putting a long-term investment in.
Will Cowboys Consider Franchise Tag For George Pickens?
And while it is increasingly unlikely that Jerry Jones and company will dole out big money to keep him, there is another option entirely.
Could the Cowboys use the franchise tag on George Pickens?
GEORGE PICKENS IS RIDICULOUS 🤯
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/Cnf7vPyBbs
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 24, 2025
Pickens did everything the Cowboys could have hoped for in 2025. He emerged as the focal point of the passing game, ranking first on the team in receptions, yards, and touchdowns, and was named a Second-Team All-Pro.
His combination of size, body control, and downfield explosiveness made him a nightmare matchup, and his age only sweetens the equation for teams interested in his services. Pickens won’t turn 25 until March, and players that young rarely reach the open market after a season like the one he just posted.
That’s exactly why letting Pickens walk would feel like organizational malpractice. The wide receiver market continues to inflate, with top-tier players now pushing well beyond $30 million per year on multiyear deals. Dallas could certainly attempt to negotiate long-term, but doing so would require significant guarantees and future cap gymnastics at a time when the roster already carries several expensive stars.
The franchise tag, meanwhile, offers a far cleaner solution.
From the Cowboys’ perspective, tagging Pickens accomplishes multiple goals. It keeps a true No. 1 receiver in the building, avoids an immediate long-term commitment, and preserves leverage if negotiations stall. Dallas could even tag Pickens and explore a trade, knowing his age and production would draw serious interest, instead of letting him walk outright.
From Pickens’ side, the tag isn’t ideal, but it’s far from disastrous. Another productive season in Dallas would only strengthen his case for a massive payday, whether that comes from the Cowboys or elsewhere in 2027.
