Wide receiver George Pickens is hoping to begin contract negotiations with the Dallas Cowboys before the end of this month, according to Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News. Yet, Bryan Broaddus, a Cowboys insider speaking on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, suggested the team is not hurrying to use the franchise tag on Pickens, with the window to place the tag having opened recently.
Broaddus commented,
“I’m getting the feeling that this tag thing might not get done anytime soon,”
and added,
“If you ask some people the questions about it, if you say, ‘Hey, would you guys consider carrying this tag all the way to the end? No rush, kind of a thing?’ The answers I get are like, ‘Yes.’”
This indicates the Cowboys may delay placing the franchise tag for now.
Pickens’s agents reportedly want negotiations to start during the NFL combine, scheduled for February 26 through March 1, while the deadline for teams to add the franchise tag is March 3. This timing suggests a tight window for talks to advance.
Implications of Dallas’ Hold on the Franchise Tag for Pickens
Although the Cowboys’ hesitation to use the franchise tag immediately might raise concerns, this delay does not necessarily indicate stalled contract talks. Typically, franchise tags extend negotiations rather than initiate them. The Cowboys likely will need this tag this offseason unless a long-term deal emerges beforehand.
Analysts do not expect a full contract solution before the 2026 NFL free agency period, so delaying the tag placement is seen by some as a strategic move to align with Pickens’s preferred timeline. If no pact is reached by March 3, the Cowboys could still apply the tag to secure Pickens’s services temporarily.
However, the worry remains that if Dallas postpones placing the tag, it might similarly postpone substantive negotiations. Past contract discussions with star linebacker Micah Parsons have fueled unease among fans, players, and observers concerning the Cowboys’ management of high-profile deals.
Assessing George Pickens’s Value in the Upcoming Free Agent Market
Pickens enters free agency at a crucial moment. In his first year with the Cowboys, he recorded 93 catches, 1,429 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns across 17 games, performances which earned him second-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors. His time with the Pittsburgh Steelers demonstrated his evident skill, though the team’s offensive struggles appeared to limit his statistical output.
Now with Dallas’s more dynamic offense, Pickens is positioned to maximize his contract value. Spotrac estimates he could land a four-year contract worth $122.4 million, averaging $30.6 million annually.
Notably, NFL salary forecasts suggest the franchise tag for wide receivers in 2026 will be around $28 million, which is lower than Pickens’s projected market value based on his performance.
What This Means for Pickens and the Cowboys Moving Forward
The timing and progression of George Pickens contract negotiations will be closely watched, as the window to place the franchise tag closes quickly. How Dallas handles this situation could affect team morale and fan confidence, especially given recent tension over contract discussions involving other prominent players.
If negotiations proceed smoothly, a long-term agreement could prevent the uncertainty of franchise tagging and free agency. Otherwise, the Cowboys may face continued pressure to use the franchise tag to maintain control while negotiations drag on into the offseason.
