Pickens is signed for the 2026 season, but not beyond that, but maybe there is a plan in place for something to be done.
When the Dallas Cowboys traded for George Pickens last offseason, one big question raised was what the franchise would do with the receiver long term.
Well, after a Pro Bowl year in 2025, Dallas stuck the franchise tag on Pickens, which he has signed, and now he can focus on the 2026 season.
But that still hasn't stopped people from thinking a trade could be forthcoming over the next couple of months, despite Dallas having zero interest in dealing the Pro Bowl weapon.
Many are wondering why the Cowboys haven't offered Pickens a long-term deal, and several theories are floating around.
The one most common is that Dallas simply wants to see more of Pickens to ensure those troubles he had in Pittsburgh, and to a lesser extent in 2025 (reportedly late to meetings), are now completely out of his system.
Plus, Pickens has had one great season. Can he do it again?
So those two things have been raised, hence why Dallas has Pickens on a one-year deal with the franchise tag.
And owner Jerry Jones thinks it's a win for the franchise and Pickens.
“This is great from our view,” Jones via Jory Epstein of Yahoo Sports. “For him as well, it lets him really extend what he's got going right now in light of the fact that … when we got him, we got him for no other reason than because there was a long-term question. Through next year and this year, he’ll answer all those questions.”
Hmm, so if we are reading between the lines, can fans expect Pickens to stick around in 2026 and 2027?
The questions Jerry is referencing are likely the behavioral issues that reportedly hindered him in Pittsburgh and led the franchise to move on.
So, the Cowboys bought low and have been rewarded.
But now many are wondering if there is a long-term plan with Pickens in place.
Jerry stated that George will answer the long-term questions this year and next. Meaning that there are two more seasons for the receiver to silence any doubters and to prove that the things that hindered him in Pittsburgh, and to a far lesser extent in Dallas, are gone.
The franchise tag does appear to be a win for both sides, as it gives Dallas the chance to see more from Pickens, and it gives George a big bump in pay, before potentially hitting the market next offseason for an even bigger payday.
And going by Jerry's words, Pickens could be in Dallas for the next two seasons, which could certainly be a big development.
