Will George Pickens Re-Sign with Cowboys? Fresh Contract Rumors as Franchise Tag Looms

Dallas Cowboys star wide receiver George Pickens is reportedly not expected to hit free agency during the offseason.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Cowboys are "likely" to place the franchise tag on Pickens, which would tie him to the franchise for next season while also giving the two sides more time to discuss a long-term deal.

That is consistent with a previous report from Rapoport that noted Pickens would be in line to make over $28 million next season under the franchise tag.

Rapoport added in the previous report that tagging Pickens and attempting to trade him for draft picks is a possibility, but that is considered a "backup option."

Dallas acquired Pickens and a 2027 sixth-round pick from the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick during the offseason, and the move has paid massive dividends for the Cowboys.

Through 11 games, Pickens is second in the NFL this season with 1,054 yards, and he has also totaled 67 receptions and eight touchdown grabs.

Pickens has already set new seasonal bests in receptions and touchdowns, and he is closing in on surpassing his previous career mark for receiving yardage with 1,140.

There was some risk involved with trading for Pickens since he is an impending free agent who gained a reputation for having a mercurial personality in Dallas, but he has been at his best throughout the 2025 campaign thus far.

Last week, Pickens recorded his fourth game of the season with 130 or more receiving yards, and he played a big role in the Cowboys overcoming a 21-point deficit to upset the NFC East rival Philadelphia Eagles 24-21.

▶️ Full Eagles-Cowboys Recap

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With the win, the Cowboys got back to .500 on the season at 5-5-1, reviving their previously dimming playoff hopes.

Earlier this week, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones appeared on 105.3 The Fan (h/t Tommy Yarrish of the Cowboys' official website) and expressed his desire to keep the offensive core of Pickens, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott together.

When asked if he envisions Pickens playing elsewhere in 2026, Jones said, "No, I do not at this time. We've got two No. 1 receivers and that's just exceptional right at the time, guess what? Our quarterback is probably the best that he's ever been. There's more there."

The Cowboys are still well behind the 8-4 San Francisco 49ers for the seventh and final playoff seed in the NFC, but they have momentum on their side and perhaps some belief that they can close the gap.

If Pickens can help the Cowboys return to the playoffs after missing out last season, it would likely increase the organization's desire to re-sign him even more.

Dallas has to continue playing winning football down the stretch in order to make that a reality, though, and it starts with a high-profile home game against the defending three-time AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs on Thanksgiving.