The Dallas Cowboys didn’t get a long-term contract done with George Pickens this offseason, opting instead for a $27.3 million franchise tag, and that decision could blow up in their faces next year. Get ready, because 2026 is setting up to be a wild ride for Pickens, with a potential monster payday on the horizon if Dallas plays their cards wrong.
The Cowboys’ Massive $32 Million Headache
This whole contract dance with Pickens is getting wild. The Cowboys slapped him with a franchise tag this offseason at a cool $27.3 million. But check this: next offseason, if they don’t sign him to a multi-year deal, they’re looking at a second franchise tag for a staggering $32 million-plus for *just one year*. ESPN’s Bill Barnwell is already saying the Cowboys likely won’t be into that kind of lofty one-year deal. Why? Because they “spent heavily to fix their defense this offseason,” and another massive one-year deal for Pickens might just not fit their plans. This opens the door for Pickens to have a truly massive opportunity this year, putting up another huge season and then hitting unrestricted free agency to secure a monstrous new deal. What a gamble for Dallas, right?
Elite Production, Unrestricted Freedom
Pickens has shown he’s elite, period. After lighting it up in 2025 with 93 passes caught for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns, his potential is undeniable. That kind of production, at a premium position like wide receiver, means any contending team would be salivating to invest in him. Players like Pickens, in the absolute prime of their careers at 26 years old, rarely make it to free agency. Barnwell thinks Pickens would be “potentially the best player available” if he did hit the open market. Can you imagine? Teams like the Las Vegas Raiders would surely be lining up, ready to drop serious cash on him. We’re talking well north of $32 million *per-year* if he repeats that 2025 performance.
Jerry Jones’ Potential Colossal Mistake
This whole scenario is a huge problem for the Cowboys and a dream come true for Pickens. It’s tough to picture Jerry Jones and the Cowboys just letting Pickens walk for nothing. The absolute best they could hope to get back is a third-round compensatory pick, and for a player of Pickens’ caliber, that feels like pocket change. But Barnwell believes there’s a real chance the Cowboys let Pickens hit the open market, calling it a “colossal mistake” for Jones and the team. For Pickens, though? It’s the ultimate chance to land a significant multi-year contract, whether it’s somehow from Dallas or, more likely, a new team. This upcoming season, with so much on the line for Pickens, is going to be a must-watch. He’s playing for generational wealth, and everyone in the league is paying attention.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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