Manchester United-linked Ederson impresses in Atalantaâs triumph over AC Milan
Ederson impresses with goal and assist in Atalanta's 3-2 victory over AC Milan
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens has signed the franchise tag worth $27.3 million for this season. Owner Jerry Jones has the option to franchise tag him again in 2027 for $31.5 million, but long-term contract talks are currently shut down.
NFL, American Football Herren, USA New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys Sep 14, 2025 Arlington, Texas, USA Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens 3 reacts after a play against the New York Giants during the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium. Arlington AT&T Stadium Texas USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xKevinxJairajx 20250914_jcd_aj6_0165 ©IMAGO/Imagn Images
Dallas Cowboys fans can now firmly hope for some fireworks from wide receiver George Pickens, since he has signed the franchise tag. His decision had the team waiting for over a month to hear from him. But every time fans think of another good season from the WR, they will be reminded that the $27.3 million tag will only be keeping him for this year. What comes next is still left to be seen.
If Pickens is as good as he was last season, he could easily command a contract worth $35-40 million annually next year. But would Cowboys owner Jerry Jones want to commit to that kind of deal? According to Blogging The Boysâ Brian Martin, Dallas might be looking at a cheaper backup plan.
âIf 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,â on May 10. âAccording to overthecap.com, the projected WR franchise tag in 2027 is $31.5 million. Thatâs 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.â
George Pickens' franchise tag amount for the 2025 season is $27.3 million.
If franchise tagged again in 2027, George Pickens could earn $31.5 million.
The Cowboys may be hesitant to sign George Pickens to a long-term contract due to concerns about the financial commitment, which could be in the range of $35-40 million annually.
The Cowboys can either sign George Pickens to a long-term deal or use the franchise tag on him for another season, which is seen as a cheaper option.
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A lot of this is incumbent on how Pickens performs this year. He came to Dallas after having recorded a disappointing 59.4% catch rate he posted in Pittsburgh. Nobody had any idea that the same George Pickens would be third in the league in receiving yards in the 2025 season. He went from being a question mark to one of the best offseason moves Dallas made in recent times. But that rise in potential allows him to ask for a better price.
CHARLOTTE, NC â OCTOBER 12: Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens 3 during an NFL, American Football Herren, USA football game between the Carolina Panthers and the Dallas Cowboys on October 12, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire NFL: OCT 12 Cowboys at Panthers EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon251012106
Seattle Seahawksâ Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the highest-paid receiver in the league. He will earn $36.5 million this year. If that is the best rate, Pickens might want a figure close to this range if he maintains this consistency or outperforms it. But a contract would also mean bumping up the salaries of fellow WRs in the room, particularly CeeDee Lamb. The Cowboys already have him on a $136 million contract. This is where the franchise tag would help Jones out, while also retaining a great talent.
Pickens can even develop into the Cowboysâ No. 1 receiver, and thatâs exactly why Dallas has no interest in moving on from him right now.
âThereâs zero interest in a trade for George Pickens. Zero interest,â Cowboys executive VP Stephen Jones said during an interview on Mad Dog Radio last week.
On the flip side, another franchise tag allows Dallas to let him walk if his caliber drops. After all, he is yet to convince the masses he can deliver consistently, having thrown for under 1,000 yards twice in his career. With Pickens out, the Cowboys can also collect a compensatory draft pick.
But will that be a risk that Dallas really wants to take? At best, theyâd likely receive a third-round pick, and even that depends on how free agency unfolds and whether Pickens signs a massive deal elsewhere. Thatâs why Martinâs suggestion makes sense.
Moreover, the Cowboys have also pulled this move many times in the past.
In March, the Cowboys showed little urgency to negotiate a long-term extension after placing the franchise tag on George Pickens. Jones did say that they planned to keep the WR for the long haul, but did not explicitly mention a contract. But in April, the Cowboys officially confirmed that they shut down talks with Pickens before the July 15 deadline for franchise-tagged players.
âThere wonât be negotiations on a long-term deal,â Stephen Jones said during the Cowboysâ pre-draft press conference. âBut thatâs certainly not a first for this organization and certainly wonât be a first for the league in terms of this decision as we move forward.â
The Cowboys have followed this blueprint before. During the last decade, Dak Prescott, tight end Dalton Schultz, defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, and running back Tony Pollard all played under the franchise tag in Dallas. Schultz and Pollard eventually left in free agency, but Dallas signed Prescott and Lawrence to long-term deals after tagging them a second time. Prescottâs $60 million-per-year extension remains the highest annual salary in NFL history since he signed it before the 2024 season opener.
Any team would hesitate to leave a player as talented as George Pickens on franchise tag. But the Cowboys clearly want more proof before handing him elite money. So, Pickens has the opportunity next season to prove that he deserves an extension deal in Dallas.
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