Career-best season ignites a franchise tag dilemma, potentially sending star receiver George Pickens to New England for a significant haul.
FRISCO - It is the view of many observers that the Dallas Cowboys - even though they have contractual control when it comes to the future of George Pickens - also have brewing problem on their hands.
After executing a wildly successful trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers to acquire Pickens following the 2025 NFL Draft last offseason, the Cowboys have responded to his brilliant season by putting the franchise tag on him.
This can be a placeholder on the way to a gigantic long-term deal (think in excess of $30 million APY).
This can be a reward for Pickens having put his behavioral baggage behind him while producing All-Pro numbers (93 receptions for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns) as a centerpiece of Dallas' explosive offense.
Or ...
While there is no indication from Pickens yet on this angle, the franchise tag could be viewed as a punishment.
If Pickens eventually sees it that way? He may consider holding out. ... with all the two-way bitterness that can come with such a move.
All of that is why I don't treat too harshly anyone who ponders whether the tag could lead to the Cowboys trading him.
I know for a fact that is not the plan; we reported on the tag intentions way back on Nov. 27, via a team source.
But I also knew for a fact a year ago that Dallas had no intention of ever trading Micah Parsons. And you know how that turned out.
So ...
Bleacher Report has suggested a potential trade idea that would ship Pickens to the Patriots ... with a Philly flavor included in the speculation.
“To avoid a potential holdout situation, Dallas can ship Pickens off to the New England Patriots, who have been heavily linked to wide receiver A.J. Brown in the rumor mill,” B/R wrote.
The Brown issue is real; he's a gifted locker-room headache and the Eagles would like to make a change - while reaping a big reward.
The Pickens issue? It has been speculated that Dallas could trade Pickens in exchange for a second-round pick.
That one - the second-round pick take - does not seem real.
Losing Pickens would send this Dak Prescott-led offense in the wrong direction, leaving CeeDee Lamb as its only true star.
There is an "easier'' answer, though Pickens' agent David Mulugheta could disagree: a long-term deal worth around $120 million over four years would keep Pickens here and would allow Dallas to spread out his money in a way that keeps the 2026 cap hit below $10 million. ...
And that would help Dallas continue to build a roster meant to help Pickens and Lamb and Prescott to win big.
Maybe Dallas isn't willing to commit to that big number just yet. Or maybe Mulugheta doesn't think that "big number'' is big enough.
But I say the headaches that come with retaining a temporarily miffed Pickens would be less painful than the headaches that await a 2026 Cowboys team playing without him.