by: Grant Grubbs 8 hours ago grant_grubbs_
George Pickens is having a career year in Dallas. The standout wide receiver was traded to the Cowboys this offseason after spending the first three seasons of his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Steelers only received a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick in exchange for Pickens, but there had long been rumors of Pickens having disciplinary issues in Pittsburgh. Now, through just 12 games this season, Pickens boasts 1,142 receiving yards and eight touchdowns on 73 catches—all of which are career-highs.
While the Cowboys are undoubtedly thrilled with Pickens’ production, they also must deal with the reality of Pickens becoming an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Evidently, the Cowboys are prepared to pay Pickens to keep him in Dallas next season.
“Multiple league sources predict Pickens will shoot for a massive number based on his play — quite possibly in the $30 million-and-up range that nine different receivers occupy,” ESPN’s Todd Archer and Jeremy Fowler wrote . “Some around the league are uncertain whether Dallas would acquiesce, given the franchise tag of roughly $27 million to $28 million is well under that total.
“That would open up the possibility of Pickens skipping the offseason program and training camp if he and the club are unable to reach a long-term agreement by July 15, 2026. The early signs are that Dallas is not afraid of the franchise tag number. ‘He ain’t leaving,’ a team source predicted.’”
Though Pickens’ previous issues with immaturity have reportedly improved in Dallas, he still struggles with timeliness. Pickens had to sit out the Cowboys’ first drive in Week 11 against the Las Vegas Raiders after missing the team bus.