Story perspectives

Cowboys Franchise Tag George Pickens for $28 Million

2/8/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Dallas Cowboys plan to franchise tag wide receiver George Pickens, costing about $28 million for one year, to prevent him from entering free agency while negotiations continue.
Pickens had a standout season with 93 receptions for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns.
Jerry Jones and teammates Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb have expressed strong support for retaining Pickens.
Pickens may not welcome the franchise tag, which offers limited long-term security.
The tag window opens on February 17 and closes on March 3.

History

Historical Context

The NFL introduced the franchise tag in 1993 to help teams retain key players while managing salary costs. This mechanism allows teams to offer a one-year contract based on the average of the top salaries at a player's position. As of recent years, the Dallas Cowboys have spent an average of $28 million per tagged player, highlighting ongoing tensions between player security and team strategy.

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Story summary

The Dallas Cowboys plan to franchise tag wide receiver George Pickens, costing about $28 million for one year, to prevent him from entering free agency while negotiations continue.
Pickens had a standout season with 93 receptions for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns.
Jerry Jones and teammates Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb have expressed strong support for retaining Pickens.
Pickens may not welcome the franchise tag, which offers limited long-term security.
The tag window opens on February 17 and closes on March 3.

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