The Dallas Cowboys made a historic deal with their star kicker, Brandon Aubrey, while Pro Bowler George Pickens is yet to sign a fixed long-term deal with them, as he is franchise-tagged.

According to Spotrac, Aubrey's cap hit is at $3.4M for 2026. leaving $16M available in free cap space. And with one deal off the table, the Cowboys are expected to focus on "locking up Pickens" and to retain him ahead of the 2026 season.

“While Dallas has many needs, especially on defense, maintaining this offense among the best in the NFL will be pertinent to the Cowboys having a bounce-back season in 2026.” per Chris Partee of FanSided.

The question, however, is whether owner Jerry Jones is ready to act on that intent. While he has publicly stated “long-term plans” for Pickens during the NFL owners meetings earlier this year, translating that vision into a contract remains the next step.

Pickens gave the Cowboys every reason to sign him up on a long-term deal, though his market value stands next to that of the Seattle Seahawks Jaxon Smith-Njigba ($42.15M annually).

And the franchise tag keeps him with the Cowboys for the 2026 season, but it also leaves doors open for the teams to sign a contract with him. 

Across 17 games played with the Dallas Cowboys, he led the team with 93 receptions for 1,429 yards and 9 touchdowns, setting records in nearly every receiving category and earning his first Pro Bowl nod.

The Brandon Aubrey deal wouldn't have a direct impact on getting Pickens' contract done, but the above numbers of his production would, which trails behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s record.

Aubrey Signed, Cowboys Turn Attention To Future Deals

With the draft ahead this weekend, the Cowboys enter the first round with two picks at No.12 and No.20, and the team's approach can hint at their stance on George Pickens.

Aubrey made history in the NFL by becoming the first kicker to earn $7M annually and $20M guaranteed, per The Atheltic.

But, according to Chris Partee of FanSided, Jones could mess the Pickens’ trade up just like in case of the Micah Parsons trade last year, despite Parsons finishing “third in Defensive Player of the Year voting while being named to the Pro Bowl for a fifth time in five seasons.”

Even with that context, nothing about George Pickens’ future with the Dallas Cowboys is set in stone. The franchise tag gives Dallas valuable time to negotiate, but it also keeps control firmly in their hands. They are leaving open the possibility that Pickens could play out the 2026 season on the tag and prove his breakout year wasn't just a lucky stint.

Do you think the Cowboys will extend Pickens' deal?

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Written by

Archana Ramakrishnan

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi