NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
The Dallas Cowboys announced that George Pickens has signed his franchise contract for the 2026 season.
Pickens is now guaranteed $27.3 million this season after his first year with the Cowboys in 2025.
Although the Cowboys and Pickens were unable to reach a long-term deal, Cowboys CEO Stephen Jones maintains the team has no plans to trade the 25-year-old receiver for the upcoming campaign.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
George Pickens of the Dallas Cowboys watches his team’s 33-16 victory against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada on November 17, 2025. (Ian Maule/Getty Images)
A report emerged ahead of last week’s NFL Draft stating that Pickens intended to sign the tag, although it was not completed until the April 29 announcement.
It was widely believed that Dallas and Pickens would reach a long-term deal, especially when team owner Jerry Jones said at the NFL’s annual meeting that the Cowboys had “long-term plans” for the Pro Bowler, according to Yahoo Sports.
COWBOYS ANNOUNCE DECISION ON GEORGE PICKENS’ CONTRACT STATUS AS HE SEEKS MAJOR DEAL
Although the franchise tag could be seen as a placeholder for a long-term deal to come to fruition at some point before the season, the Cowboys announced earlier this month that they would not negotiate long-term deals with franchise-tagged players before the July 15 deadline.
Pickens, likely aware of the Cowboys’ position, opted for the $27.3 million guarantee.
The Cowboys’ trade for Pickens last offseason in a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers proved successful despite the team missing the playoffs in head coach Brian Schottenheimer’s first year at the helm.
George Pickens of the Dallas Cowboys stretches before an NFL game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan on December 4, 2025. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Pickens was a second-team All-Pro, hauling in 93 receptions from quarterback Dak Prescott for 1,429 yards with nine touchdowns in 17 games.
It was clear that the Cowboys’ passing attack was one of the deadliest in the NFL, as Pickens worked alongside CeeDee Lamb, tight end Jake Ferguson and other standout weapons, including Ryan Flournoy, who had a breakout season.
Lamb also got paid last year, with the Cowboys accepting his request to be one of the highest-paid receivers in the NFL. Lamb signed a four-year contract worth $136 million, making him the fourth-highest paid receiver in the league.
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens celebrates a Thanksgiving victory by eating turkey after the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at AT&T Stadium on November 27, 2025. (Kevin Jairaj/Imagn Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PK Press Club APP
Seattle Seahawks star Jaxon Smith-Njigba reset the record for the highest-paid receiver in NFL history with a $168.8 million contract with $120 million guaranteed following his Super Bowl-winning campaign that saw the 24-year-old win Offensive Player of the Year.
The Cowboys know how good Pickens and Lamb are together, but shelling out money for two top receivers isn’t the easiest thing ever. With the franchise tag, Pickens is the 15th highest-paid receiver in the NFL entering the 2026 season.
