Dallas Cowboys put WR George Pickens on franchise tag for 2026

The Dallas Cowboys announced that wide receiver George Pickens will play the 2026 season on the franchise tag after negotiations failed to produce a long‑term contract before the July 15 deadline. The tag carries a fully guaranteed salary of about $27‑28 million. Pickens posted career‑high numbers in 2025 — 1,429 receiving yards and nine touchdowns — and formed a top‑tier receiver duo with CeeDee Lamb. Owner Jerry Jones said the team needs certainty on salary‑cap implications before committing a larger guaranteed deal, a stance echoed in analyses of the Cowboys’ recent contract strategies. The move leaves Pickens’ future beyond 2026 uncertain and has sparked speculation about potential trade interest from rivals such as the Philadelphia Eagles. The franchise tag follows a pattern of the Cowboys using the tag on other stars, including Dak Prescott and DeMarcus Lawrence, while balancing cap constraints and roster depth decisions for the wide‑receiver group.