Key Highlights
- The Dallas Cowboys want to retain wide receiver George Pickens beyond 2025 with the franchise tag being a potential option.
- Pickens is currently in his last year of his rookie contract and has performed exceptionally well, leading the league in receiving yards.
- The use of the franchise tag would be more cap prohibitive than an extension for retaining Pickens in 2026 and beyond.
- David Mulugheta, representing George Pickens, traditionally pushes hard against the use of the franchise tag for his clients.
The Dallas Cowboys’ Wide Receiver Conundrum: Retaining George Pickens Beyond 2025
The Dallas Cowboys are facing a significant decision regarding their wide receiver, George Pickens. The team traded for him last May with the best-case scenario being that they would face a complicated contract situation in 2026 — because that would mean they wanted to keep him past the 2025 season. Just over halfway through his first year in Dallas, this is exactly where the Cowboys find themselves.
On Monday night against the Raiders, Pickens had a standout performance with 144 receiving yards and a touchdown.
This is just one of many impressive outings he has put on display for the Cowboys. He currently leads the league in receiving yards with 908, and his performance has essentially demanded that he be among the highest-paid receivers in the NFL.
Why Retaining Pickens Is a Priority
With only one year left on his rookie contract, Pickens’ performance has put him in contention for a top-tier contract. His 144 receiving yards against the Raiders were just part of an impressive season. He has also led all Cowboys wide receivers (excluding CeeDee Lamb) with 12 receptions and 227 yards on tight-window targets, according to Next Gen Stats. This performance has made it clear that Dallas wants to retain Pickens for the future.
Retaining Options: Franchise Tag or Extension?
The Cowboys have several options when considering how to retain Pickens. One potential option is to use a franchise tag, which would likely cost over $28 million for one season. However, this could be more cap prohibitive than an extension in 2026 and beyond. Another possibility is trying to trade him for future picks, but this would be the backup plan if they are unable to work out a long-term deal with Pickens.
The Franchise Tag Decision
A franchise tag on Pickens wouldn’t sit well with his agent, David Mulugheta of Athletes First. Mulugheta has traditionally pushed hard against using the franchise tag for his clients. However, team sources suggest that this would not be an issue in this case.
Other Considerations: Contract Talks and Salary Cap
Retaining Pickens comes with challenges due to Dallas currently having the least amount of projected salary-cap space in 2026 according to Over The Cap. This means that retaining him would require some financial maneuvering. As of now, no contract talks have taken place between the Cowboys and Pickens.
Another player on the Cowboys’ roster who is also in a contract year is their kicker Brandon Aubrey.
Teams are only permitted to use one tag each offseason, so the Cowboys might face a choice between retaining Aubrey or using the franchise tag for Pickens. If they choose to franchise tag Aubrey, it would clear Pickens to hit free agency.
The Dallas Cowboys are indeed facing “a few moving parts,” as one source put it. However, these are good problems to have in terms of building a strong and competitive team for the future.
In conclusion, the Dallas Cowboys’ decision on retaining George Pickens beyond 2025 is multifaceted. Whether through a long-term extension or the use of the franchise tag, this decision will shape the direction of their wide receiver group and impact the team’s overall strategy moving forward.
Stay tuned for updates as contract talks continue to unfold in the coming months.
