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Cowboys Tag WR George Pickens at $27.3 Million

4/30/2026

46 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Pickens Signs Franchise Tag

Cowboys receiver George Pickens signed the franchise tag on April 29 2026 for $27.3 million.
According to Stephen Jones, the tag placed on February 27 2026 ties Pickens to Dallas, gives him injury protection, counts against 2026 salary cap, and ends weeks of trade speculation after the Cowboys declined negotiations.
OTAs start in June, with the tag deadline set for July 15, and Pickens will become a free agent in 2027 if no extension is reached.

Summary

Pickens Benched

Pickens and CeeDee Lamb were benched for the series in Las Vegas after missing curfew following a casino visit.
Spotrac lists Pickens as the sixth-highest-paid 2026 wide receiver with a $27.3 million tag, a ranking that Fox News places him 15th among NFL receivers.
Agent David Mulugheta will negotiate a long-term extension into training camp while sources say Pickens’ bond with Dak Prescott and Lamb has grown.

History

Historical Context

The NFL’s free-agency overhaul on March 1 1993 replaced the Plan B system, giving players unrestricted movement and prompting teams to use tools like the franchise tag. The Dallas Cowboys, who won Super Bowl XXVIII that season, now face another tag as GM Stephen Jones placed a $27.3 million tag on receiver George Pickens, while agents such as David Mulugheta push for extensions before the 2027 free-agency deadline.

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Pickens Signs Franchise Tag

Cowboys receiver George Pickens signed the franchise tag on April 29 2026 for $27.3 million.
According to Stephen Jones, the tag placed on February 27 2026 ties Pickens to Dallas, gives him injury protection, counts against 2026 salary cap, and ends weeks of trade speculation after the Cowboys declined negotiations.
OTAs start in June, with the tag deadline set for July 15, and Pickens will become a free agent in 2027 if no extension is reached.

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