The next options for WR George Pickens and the Dallas Cowboys

By now we all know wide receiver George Pickens will play the 2026 NFL season under the $27.3 million franchise tag and the Dallas Cowboys have no intentions of trading him. What we don’t know is what’s next for these two? Does Pickens have a long-term future in Dallas? Today, we dive into the Cowboys options to help determine which one could be best for the future of the organization.

Let’s get started.

Trade at 2026 NFL deadline

According to the Cowboys, they have no intentions of trading George Pickens. That, of course, depends on how their season is going prior to the 2026 NFL trade deadline, which is usually sometime in early November. If Dallas’ season is already circling the drain, Super Bowl contenders looking for more WR help could be interested in acquiring Pickens via trade. Jerry Jones and Company would be wise to listen to trade offers and possibly sell to the highest bidder if they like the compensation they’d receive in return. It’s not their only option though.

Let walk for potential compensatory pick

Letting Pickens walk via free agency for a potential compensatory pick seems like the least attractive option for the Cowboys. At best, they’d receive a third-round pick in return, however, that compensation relies heavily on the team’s additions and subtractions in free agency as well as Pickens earning a big money contract elsewhere. That’s a lot of “what if’s” with next to nothing guaranteed. This option would be in Pickens’ best interest, allowing him to choose his next team, but probably not what’s in the best interest of the Cowboys.

Sign to a long-term deal

In more ways than one, 2026 is more than likely a “prove it” year for George Pickens. Teams around the league, including the Cowboys, want to see consistency from Pickens on the field and no big character concerns on or off the field. Reproducing another 1,400-yard, nine touchdown season this year would cement himself as a top WR in the league and go a long ways in quieting any concerns teams may have about him. That could result in a long-term contract, earning him somewhere between $35-40 million from the Cowboys.

Back-to-back franchise tag

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. 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.