Pickens plays 2026 on $27.3M tag; must prove 1,400-yard season wasn't a fluke

George Pickens will play the 2026 season on a $27.3 million franchise tag after the July 16 deadline for long-term contract negotiations passed; the Cowboys announced before the April draft they did not plan to hold talks on a long-term deal. Pickens has signed his franchise tender and stated he was prepared to play on the tag, saying "Like the tag and all that, it's just football first" and that he would "play football first" and let his agent handle contract matters. After his 1,400-yard, nine-touchdown season in 2025, Pickens needs to prove consistency in 2026. Patrik Walker notes that Pickens has already proven he can be a breakout receiver capable of carrying an offense and has shattered the locker room narrative from his Pittsburgh days. Walker believes the Cowboys should have extended him but acknowledges the team's reasoning for holding off. Pickens' participation in minicamp and commitment to full training camp participation while on the franchise tag is described as "a sensational start to a season that simply needs to show last year wasn't an anomaly."

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