The Dallas Cowboys are spending $28 million to place the franchise tag on star wide receiver George Pickens. This keeps him with the team for the 2026 season. The move stops other teams from signing him before the new NFL season starts in March.
According to The Daily Mail, Dak Prescott made it clear how important Pickens is to the team. Speaking to reporters at the Pro Bowl in San Francisco, the quarterback said keeping Pickens was a must. Prescott told reporters, “I think it must be done. I think obviously from Jerry to everybody down understands that, and one the impact on this offense and the team and the great player that he is. We’ve got to find a way to keep him here.”
The franchise tag is a one-year deal that is fully guaranteed. Jerry Jones plans to sign Pickens to a long-term contract after this season. If Pickens plays well again, his contract price will likely go up next year. Pickens is 24 years old and came to Dallas from Pittsburgh last year. His first season with the Cowboys was the best of his career. He caught 90 passes for 1,409 yards and scored nine touchdowns.
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The Cowboys secured their top offensive weapon for 2026
Those nine touchdowns were four more than his best season with the Steelers. He quickly became one of Prescott’s favorite targets. His performance showed why the Cowboys had to spend big money to keep him. In other sports news, a Vikings announcer recently stepped down after facing criticism.
Jones has been very excited about Pickens playing for Dallas. The owner told the team’s website that he talks to Pickens often about his future. Jones explained, “I’m talking to [him] all the time by virtue of my excitement for him.” He added that Pickens showed great potential and did more than expected in his first year.
Jones made his goal clear when he stated, “I’m looking forward to getting things worked out so George can be a Cowboy a long time.” The franchise tag gives Dallas time to work out a permanent contract. For now, Pickens cannot explore free agent options with other teams. Meanwhile, Trump’s recent claims about crowd reactions have also made headlines.
The Cowboys have a busy offseason ahead. They have 15 unrestricted free agents, including Jadeveon Clowney and Javonte Williams. But at least their biggest offensive weapon besides Prescott is locked in for 2026. For Cowboys fans, getting Pickens signed was the top priority.
Published: Feb 8, 2026 01:45 pm