Cowboys Lock in Pickens with Franchise Tag

0:00On April 23rd, the Dallas Cowboys just locked in wide receiver George Pickens with the franchise tag for the 2026 season, guaranteeing him 27.3 million dollars. This deal came together right before the NFL draft, after owner Jerry Jones personally reached out to Pickens' agent. Jerry had high praise for Pickens, noting his big stride since the team traded a third round pick for him last year. He highlighted how Pickens fits perfectly alongside CD-LAM, Dak Prescott, and the offense run by Coach Shottenheimer. Fans got some relief amid the uncertainty, but not everyone in the front office is on the same page. Steven Jones, the COO, made it clear days earlier that there are no plans for a long-term deal, or negotiations beyond this tag. Pickens backed up his worth with a career year, racking up 1,492 receiving yards, nine touchdowns, and a pro-ball nod. His campaign is even bigger money in 2027, especially after seeing deals like Jackson Smith and Jigba's 42.15 million per year.

1:04This keeps Pickens and Dallas short-term, but with his agent's track record like flipping Michael Parsons' situation, it sets a potential drama down the line as the Cowboys juggle their roster needs. That's your NFL News Today update, AI-powered and always on.