George Pickens will play the 2026 season on the franchise tag after the Dallas Cowboys failed to reach a long-term agreement before the Wednesday, July 15, deadline. The star wide receiver is now locked into a fully guaranteed one-year contract worth $27.3 million.

According to a report by ESPN, Dallas made it clear before the NFL Draft that it did not intend to negotiate a long-term extension with Pickens this offseason. And they have now pushed the waiting period for Pickens even further, as reported by DallasCowboys.com analyst Tommy Yarrish.

"The deadline has officially passed for franchise tagged #Cowboys WR George Pickens to receive a long-term extension in 2026," reported Yarrish on July 15.

An extension is now off the table until after Dallas wraps up its regular season against the Washington Commanders in January, per Yarrish's tweet.

The receiver made it clear that his focus remains on the field, adding that contract matters are something he prefers to leave in the hands of his agent.

“So, definitely play football first, kind of like I did last year, and then worry about [the contract], well, let my agent worry about it, really," said Pickens, facing the reporters following their minicamp in June.

Pickens was the only franchise-tagged player this offseason who did not secure a multiyear extension before the deadline. Running back Breece Hall, tight end Kyle Pitts, and quarterback Daniel Jones all reached long-term agreements with their respective teams.

Now the contract talks will come in 2027.

"The Cowboys do have the option to place the franchise tag on Pickens again next offseason, which would be another one-year deal worth 120% of his current tag, amounting to approximately $32.8 million," wrote Yarrish.

Despite the missed deadline, neither side has shown any public signs of frustration during the process. 

Pickens focused on football after career-best season

The Cowboys informed Pickens of their decision well before training camp, with owner Jerry Jones and head coach Brian Schottenheimer personally explaining the organization's plans. 

Pickens later said those conversations were important because he appreciated the team's direct approach.

"What's important to me is winning," Pickens said after the mini camp, as posted by the Dallas Cowboys YouTube channel on June 17. "I always want to bring a Super Bowl to a group of guys that never had that feeling."

Dallas traded for Pickens before the 2025 season, and he quickly became a big part of the offense. He finished the year with career highs of 93 catches, 1,429 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns, earning his first Pro Bowl selection.

At just 25, Pickens remains a key piece of Dallas' future. Earlier this offseason, owner Jerry Jones said the team still views him as part of its long-term plans, even though a new deal has yet to happen.

For now, both sides will look to wait for the 2026 season to begin. If Pickens puts together another strong season, he'll have an even stronger case for a lucrative contract in 2027.

What do you think of Dallas putting things on hold for Pickens? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Evince Das

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar