The fanchise tag is the "easy step" for the Cowboys to secure explosive receiver George Pickens, whose stellar play has impressed Jerry Jones and Dak Prescott.
ARLINGTON - George Pickens is taking full advantage of existing in the eye of a perfect storm.
Last spring, the Dallas Cowboys were desperate to trade for an explosive offensive weapon. Pickens left Pittsburgh and its mediocre quarterback play and created instant chemistry with Pro Bowl QB Dak Prescott. And in a contract year, he's posting the best numbers of his career.
“I’m really just grinding,” Pickens said modestly, reflecting on a 2025 campaign during which he's second among all NFL players in receiving yards (1,054) and third in receiving touchdowns (eight). This is kind of always what I was capable of. …
"Hopefully, I can just keep doing what I’m doing. Stay in the lab.”
And if he continues even near this pace? And continues to put his Steelers-era behavioral baggage behind him?
As he's in the final year of his rookie contract, the free-agent-to-be will move from the lab to the negotiating table.
And amid much speculation on Dallas' plan in that regard? A source is making is very clear to me."
The first step, the easy step, is the franchise tag,'' the source said. "And then we go from there.''
The Steelers traded Pickens and a 2027 sixth-round pick to the Cowboys in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick, and at the time, Dallas knew this might just be a risky rental.
But now? Pickens is described by Prescott as being other-wordly.
And "GP'' is developing to the point at which he's seen as an equal to teammate and fast friend CeeDee Lamb. The four-time Pro Bowler Lamb makes $34 million APY - a top-three number in the NFL, behind only Cincinnati's Ja'Marr Chase ($40 mil) and Minnesota's Justin Jefferson ($36 mil).
Pickens' agent, David Mulugheta, can reasonably be planning on asking for the same.
Can Dallas afford that? Unquestionably, as a simple seven-step program (which we illustrate in great detail here) can free up $110 million under the 2026 cap of about $295.5 million.
Will Dallas pay that? It doesn't have to. ... because of the tag, projected to be a guaranteed $28 million for 2026.
Does Cowboys owner Jerry Jones envision any scenario in which where Pickens plays anywhere other than Dallas in 2026?
“No, I do not at this time,’’ Jones said on 105.3 The Fan this week. "We've got two No. 1 receivers and that's just exceptional right at the time, guess what? Our quarterback (Dak Prescott) is probably the best that he's ever been. There's more there."
"The Dak Window'' is one reason to commit to keeping Pickens, who is just 24. He oversees what is now the No. 1 offense in the league, but he's 32. It makes sense for Dallas to shoot its shot while Prescott remains a viable star.
Dallas will open negotiations with Pickens after the completion of this season. What could go wrong?
There is the unlikely scenario in which Pickens loses control of his emotions or shows a selfish side; some in Pittsburgh saw those things as problems, which led to the Steelers' willingness to give up on him.
Jones doesn't see that happening.
"He's an outstanding teammate," Jones said. "He brings energy to the team even when he's not making some of those great receptions. Bottom line, it's working, and it's precious to have it here right at this time with what we're trying to do with Dak and how we're trying to maximize having him."
Or, the Cowboys could drag their feet. Or the agent could drag his. But even in that scenario, if negotiations don't progress, Dallas plans to tag him by March 3. And if no deal is reached by mid-July?
Pickens is a Cowboy on the tag.
“Of course we want George Pickens back,” Cowboys COO Stephen Jones said last week on The Fan. “You’d be crazy not to want to have him back and be a part of this thing.''
And the tool that is franchise tag is the not-crazy and near-perfect way Pickens is all but guaranteed to remain in Dallas.