Dallas Cowboys fans can now look forward to explosive plays from wide receiver George Pickens, who has officially signed his franchise tag. The team waited over a month for his decision, but each time fans envision another standout season, they are reminded that the $27.3 million tag only secures him for this year. What lies ahead remains uncertain.
If Pickens replicates his 2025 performance—where he ranked third in the league in receiving yards—he could command a contract worth $35–40 million annually next season. However, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones may hesitate to commit to such a long-term deal. According to Blogging The Boys’ Brian Martin, Dallas could explore a more cost-effective alternative.
“If the Cowboys are still wary about signing Pickens to a long-term contract in the ballpark of $35-40 million a year, using the franchise tag on him in back-to-back seasons is a logical option, and maybe a cheaper one,” Martin wrote on May 10. “According to overthecap.com, the projected WR franchise tag in 2027 is $31.5 million. That’s a significant bump in the $27.3 million Pickens will earn under the tag this year, but still less than he could make annually on a long-term deal. Dallas has the leverage here unless Pickens decides not to sign the tag and sit out the 2027 season.”
This strategy largely depends on Pickens’ performance this season. After arriving from Pittsburgh with a disappointing 59.4% catch rate, Pickens transformed into one of Dallas’ best offseason moves, leading the Cowboys to consider him a key asset. But that rise in value also gives him leverage to demand a higher price.
Seattle Seahawks’ Jaxon Smith-Njigba currently holds the title of highest-paid receiver in the league at $36.5 million per year. If Pickens maintains or exceeds his consistency, he may seek a figure in that range. However, signing a long-term deal would also require bumping up the salaries of fellow receivers, especially CeeDee Lamb, who is already under a $136 million contract. That’s precisely where the franchise tag helps Jones retain top talent without breaking the bank.
Pickens could even develop into the Cowboys’ No. 1 receiver, which explains why Dallas has no intention of moving on from him right now.
