The receiver is locked in for the 2026 season after signing his franchise tag.
Dallas Cowboys receiver George Pickens has been the big storyline over the past 24 hours after the franchise made it clear they wouldn't be negotiating a long-term deal with the Pro Bowler.
Instead, Cowboys COO Stephen Jones stated the franchise wanted Pickens to play on the tag.
That, of course, led to a lot of backlash, with rumors now heating up that Dallas could deal the receiver during the draft.
And in the hours before the big event, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport has stated that Pickens intends to sign his franchise tag, but first, he needs to sign his tender contract. There is not yet ink on paper, yet, according to ESPN's Todd Archer.
George will now be under contract for the 2026 season with $27.3 million guaranteed, and he will have another chance to cash in next offseason, providing he has another good season with the Cowboys.
Some have suggested that now that Pickens has signed the tag, it ends any chance of him being traded, but in fact, now that teams know the cost of Pickens in 2026, a move could be much more likely.
Granted, Dallas has said all the right things about Pickens and his long-term status with the franchise, and at least we now know that George, barring anything extraordinary happening, will be catching passes from Dak Prescott in 2026.
With Pickens now signing his franchise tag, that doesn't stop the two sides from continuing to negotiate a deal, even though Stephen Jones publicly said they won't talk contract with No. 3.
That could be a media ploy to get Pickens and his agent, David Mulugheta, to come to them in search of the long-term deal the pair are seeking.
The Cowboys know how valuable Pickens is, after his 1,429 yards and 9 TDs last season, but it is also clear that the franchise wants to see more.
It hasn't even been a full year since Pickens has been at The Star, and our own Mike Fisher stated that one of the reasons Dallas has taken the stance it has with George is because they want to make sure the behavioral issues are well and truly behind him.
Last season was a good step, George, now do it again.
So Pickens is now signed for the 2026 season at $27.3 million, but as the draft gets underway, it doesn't dampen the trade talk.
If anything, it only accelerates it.
