Star Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens is signing his franchise tender Thursday, a day after the team said it would not be negotiating a long-term contract with him this year, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Pickens will be paid $27.3 million, fully guaranteed, for the 2026 season.
Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said Wednesday that the team informed Pickens’ agent, David Mulugheta, of their decision not to hold contract talks last week, hoping to put to rest the questions of an extension that would need to be completed by July 15.
“We’re so fired up to have George on this football team,” Jones said Wednesday at the Cowboys’ predraft news conference. “Obviously, he’s been here for a year. We gave up a third-round pick for him, and certainly he’s made tremendous progress in the year he’s been here. I think he’d be the first to tell you this is a great situation for him, playing with CeeDee [Lamb] and Dak [Prescott] and in Coach [Brian] Schottenheimer’s offense. He loves Coach Schottenheimer and what he brings to the table. But certainly, a conscious decision that we’ve made.”
Speaking from the NFL’s annual meeting last month, owner and general manager Jerry Jones said the Cowboys have “long-term plans” for Pickens, but all they will be guaranteed now is the 2026 season. The Cowboys could use the franchise tag on Pickens in 2027, which would cost them roughly $32.7 million, or work out a long-term deal next year. If Pickens were to leave, the Cowboys would receive a compensatory pick in 2028.
Last May, the Cowboys acquired Pickens and a 2027 sixth-round pick from the Pittsburgh Steelers for a 2026 third-round pick and 2027 fifth-rounder. He responded with the best year of his career, establishing career highs in catches (93), yards (1,429) and touchdowns (9).
The Cowboys begin their voluntary offseason program next week. It is unclear if Pickens will attend. Schottenheimer said Wednesday he would speak with Pickens to see if he will show up at least for the first couple of days.
ESPN’s Todd Archer contributed to this report.
