Overview
- An ESPN report quotes a Cowboys source saying of George Pickens, "He ain't leaving," with Dallas viewed as willing to use the 2026 wide receiver franchise tag projected around $27–29 million.
- Pickens has delivered a breakout year after the trade from Pittsburgh, leading Dallas with 73 catches for 1,142 yards and eight touchdowns through 12 games.
- Public projections place a potential extension near $150–155 million over five years at roughly $30 million annually, while Over The Cap lists Dallas at about $50 million over the 2026 cap, indicating tough roster and restructuring choices.
- Dallas has fined Pickens for timeliness issues, including a missed team bus that led to a brief benching, but team voices say his work ethic is strong and credit Dak Prescott’s leadership for his progress.
- Stephen Jones and Dak Prescott have publicly backed keeping Pickens, though negotiations could be complicated by agent David Mulugheta’s history with Jerry Jones, making the tag a practical short-term option.