Cowboys’ George Pickens gets $28 million contract update via ESPN’s Adam Schefter originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Dallas Cowboys entered this offseason having to make a decision on George Pickens.
The former Pittsburgh Steelers WR had his contract end when the season ended, sending him toward free agency.
Pickens won’t get to be a free agent, though.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Saturday night, the Cowboys plan to extend the franchise tag to Pickens.
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That franchise tag secures Pickens for the 2026 season at a rate expected to be $28 million.
The Cowboys likely want to still get a contract extension done for the long-term with Pickens. But this step at least ensures no one else will be negotiating with Pickens.
The tag can’t officially be applied until Feb. 17.
“The tag undoubtedly is coming, if for no other reason than to serve as a placeholder for the start of negotiations designed to keep him in Dallas,” Schefter writes.
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Pickens just had a career year, with personal bests in receiving yards, receptions and touchdowns. The star wideout went for 90 catches, 1,409 yards and nine TDs.
The Cowboys traded for Pickens to pair him with CeeDee Lamb and give Dak Prescott a true top-two targets to choose from. It worked in a big way.
Dallas needs defensive improvements, but keeping Pickens around is a good start to what is an important offseason for the Cowboys.
More NFL news:
- Bijan Robinson, Drake London get an ironic Kirk Cousins contract setup
- Lions face a $20 million pivot point with Jahmyr Gibbs
- No one is talking about Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey’s free agency
- Tom Brady broke out a crazy $653,000 watch
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba is bringing the Cowboys to the Super Bowl with a tattoo
- Justin Jefferson breaks silence on Bills trade rumors

