NFL Insider Predicts George Pickens Will Get Cowboys Franchise Tag Amid Contract Talks

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens is having a fantastic season (81 catches, 1,212 yards, eight touchdowns) in his contract year.

That performance has set up great speculation about his destination in 2026, and Jon Machota of The Athletic, who covers the Cowboys, believes that the team will give him the franchise tag and keep him aboard for another season.

"If I had to predict today, Pickens will end up getting the franchise tag," Machota wrote in part.

"He obviously won't like that idea. I just have my doubts about Jerry Jones' being able to get a deal done with David Mulugheta after how ugly things got with Micah Parsons. Jones could prove me wrong, but the tag is more likely at this point. Either way, I don't see a scenario where Pickens is playing anywhere but Dallas next season."

Pickens played for the Pittsburgh Steelers over his first three seasons before the team traded him to the Dallas Cowboys last March for a third-round draft pick. He's broken out for the Cowboys, showcasing his tremendous talent and helping Dallas score the fourth-most points per game in the NFL (29.1 PPG).

Pickens has slowed down a bit over the last two weeks, catching just eight passes for 70 yards. However, it doesn't appear that it will have an impact on the Cowboys' decision to retain him.

Machota's previous remarks were in response to a question on whether that performance would have an effect on Dallas willing to do a long-term deal, and he wrote this in response.

"Not much at all. They understand that a big part of it is the extra attention coming his way from opposing defenses. They also know how much more explosive the offense is with Pickens and CeeDee Lamb on the field together."

Pickens has been a major asset for Dallas, whose biggest problem this year has been a defense that simply hasn't fared well (second-most points allowed in the NFL) without superstar Micah Parsons after he was traded to the Green Bay Packers last August.

Ultimately, all signs point to Pickens playing in Dallas, with a franchise tag appearing to be in the lead over a long-term extension at this point. However, the deadline is March 3 for teams to designate franchise players, so the Cowboys and Pickens' camp have time to get something long-term done.