Dallas Cowboys place franchise tag on receiver George Pickens

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens, who posted a league‑leading 2025 season with 93 catches for 1,493 yards and nine touchdowns, was kept in Dallas for the 2026 season via the franchise tag. The tag guarantees him a fully guaranteed $27.3 million salary that counts against the team’s salary cap.

Vice president of player personnel Will McClay said the organization is happy to retain Pickens, emphasizing the difficulty of assembling a 53‑player roster and indicating the decision fits the Cowboys’ overall contract strategy. While speculation remains about a longer‑term deal beyond the tag, the immediate move secures Pickens on the roster for at least one more year.

The move follows earlier reports that ranked Pickens among the NFL’s top‑10 receivers and highlighted the potential for a future long‑term contract depending on his continued performance.