Throughout the fall, reports suggested that the Dallas Cowboys would not let wide receiver George Pickens reach free agency when the new league year opens in March.
However, some understandably have wondered if Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones changed his mind regarding Pickens’ future following all that occurred involving the 24-year-old through the second half of the 2025 regular season. It appears Jones wants to hold onto Pickens through at least the spring for better or for worse.
George Pickens shouldn’t expect to become a free agent this year
“The belief is the Cowboys will use the franchise tag on Pickens,” ESPN Cowboys reporter Todd Archer revealed on Thursday. “And that would open up other scenarios, like Pickens’ availability in the voluntary offseason program and training camp.”
The one-year tag for Pickens is expected to be worth around $28M. Pickens performed like an Offensive Player of the Year Award candidate throughout the opening half of his first season with the Cowboys after they acquired him from the Pittsburgh Steelers last spring. He reportedly caused numerous headaches for the Steelers from 2022 through the end of the 2024 campaign, and some of those issues seemed to resurface this past fall.
Pickens was benched for Dallas’ first offensive series versus the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 11 after he allegedly missed the team bus. A subsequent report shared that he had been fined for being late on more than one occasion before he was accused of running lazy routes in the Cowboys’ Week 14 loss to the Detroit Lions.
Pickens reminded everybody that he can be a dynamic playmaker when he recorded seven receptions for 130 yards and a touchdown in the Week 16 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. That performance wasn’t enough to keep the Cowboys in contention for a playoff spot through at least Christmas Day.
ESPN stats show that Pickens ended the regular season ranked eighth in the NFL with 93 receptions and third with 1,429 receiving yards. He was tied for eighth with nine receiving scores.
What’s next for George Pickens, Cowboys?
Pickens is in the final months
of his existing contract and previously hinted he wouldn’t be thrilled if his rights for 2026 were retained via the franchise tag. He is represented by David Mulugheta, the agent Jones didn’t do business with before Dallas traded pass-rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers this past August.
“The Cowboys went through Parsons’ hold-in during training camp last summer,” Archer added, “and Pickens has the same agency (Athletes First) as Parsons.”
In short, it sounds like Jones and Co. understand the Pickens situation could get messy over the next handful of months.
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