George Pickens may receive the franchise tag from the Dallas Cowboys, but that does not guarantee his presence with the team in 2026. Reports indicate that while the Cowboys are likely to tag Pickens, there is a chance they could trade him, according to NFL Media.
Pickens, who will turn 25 in March, is poised to enter free agency following a remarkable season in his first year with the Cowboys. He ranked eighth in the league for receptions, third in receiving yards, and was tied for eighth in receiving touchdowns. His performance earned him a spot in the Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro recognition.
As one of the top talents in this free agency class, Pickens is set for a significant financial opportunity. Though the franchise tag values for the upcoming season have yet to be announced, estimates suggest that the tag for wide receivers will be approximately $28.8 million, with that amount being fully guaranteed.
Receiving the franchise tag does not prevent Pickens from signing with another team. Should he be tagged, any signing team would need to compensate the Cowboys with two first-round draft picks. This situation makes tag-and-trade scenarios increasingly common in the NFL.
A recent instance of this was in 2022 when the Green Bay Packers franchise-tagged Davante Adams before trading him to the Las Vegas Raiders for a first- and second-round pick.
The window for teams to utilize their franchise tag opens on February 17 and closes on March 3, with free agency commencing on March 9. This timeline is crucial as the Cowboys evaluate their options regarding Pickens.
In related news, NFL insider Ian Rapoport has suggested that the Cowboys might consider trading Pickens, despite the team”s confidence in his abilities. Such a move could enable Dallas to acquire additional draft assets while balancing their receiver lineup.
