Cowboys WR George Pickens signs franchise tag, will make $27.3M in 2026

Field Level Media
30 Apr 2026, 06:10 GMT+10

(Photo credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens officially signed the franchise tag on Wednesday, locking him in for the 2026 season with a guaranteed salary of $27.3 million.

Pickens, 25, is coming off his first Pro Bowl season in 2025, when he caught 93 passes on 137 targets for 1,429 yards with nine touchdowns -- all career bests -- in 17 games (15 starts) in his first year with Dallas.

The Cowboys' front office has said the team is not interested in negotiating a long-term deal with Pickens at this time, nor is it looking to trade him. Pickens, who was set to be a free agent, and Dallas have until the July 15 league deadline to work out a contract extension if the team changes its stance.

'We have no intention of moving George,' Cowboys chief operating officer and co-owner Stephen Jones said in the press conference following Day 1 of the NFL draft last week. '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).'

Dallas placed the franchise tag on Pickens on Feb. 27, the first time the team had done so since 2022 with tight end Dalton Schultz.

The Steelers selected Pickens in the second round of the 2022 draft out of Georgia and he played his first three seasons in Pittsburgh. Pickens has produced 267 receptions, 4,270 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns in 65 games (55 starts).

Pittsburgh traded him to Dallas on May 7, 2025, with a 2027 sixth-round pick for a 2026 third-round pick (76th overall, quarterback Drew Allar) and a 2027 fifth-round selection.

--Field Level Media

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