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By Megan Armstrong
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens' impending free agency has been a main plot line at the 2026 NFL Combine in Indianapolis this week, and the still-unfolding saga added a new chapter.
ESPN's Todd Archer reported on Friday morning that the Cowboys officially placed the franchise tag on Pickens, which secures his rights through at least 2026, and the NFL's official X (formerly Twitter) account also posted the news.
"The team used the nonexclusive designation on Pickens, sources said, which will allow other teams to talk to him when free agency begins March 11," Archer wrote. "The tag guarantees Pickens around $28 million in 2026, but working out a long-term deal remains a possibility. The Cowboys met with Pickens' representatives on Thursday at the NFL scouting combine. The talks were described as more general than in-depth."
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The Cowboys and Pickens' representation, which includes David Mulugheta, will have until July 15 to agree upon a long-term contract. Mulugheta is known for negotiating quarterback Deshaun Watson's unprecedented $230 million fully guaranteed contract with the Cleveland Browns after the Browns traded with the Houston Texans to acquire Watson in March 2022.
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Perhaps more relevant, Mulugheta also represents All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons, who was traded from Dallas to Green Bay last August after acrimonious negotiations fell apart.
In other words, negotiations between Dallas and Pickens figure to be interesting.
The Pittsburgh Steelers, which drafted Pickens with the No. 52 overall pick in 2022, traded the 24-year-old to Dallas last May. Last season was the final year of Pickens' rookie contract, and he had his best season in the NFL. He played in all 17 regular-season games and posted career-highs in receptions (93), yards (1,429), and touchdowns (nine).
Based on Pickens' 2025 production alone, it would seem like a no-brainer for Dallas to lock in a dynamic target who developed clear favor with quarterback Dak Prescott. But it's never that simple.
While Pickens was mostly spectacular on the field and a non-issue off it, there were flashes of the concerns that hindered his time in Pittsburgh — most notably, appearing to loaf during the Cowboys' Week 14 loss to the Detroit Lions. Additionally, the Cowboys already signed All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb to a four-year, $136 million extension in 2024. Is it wise to dump even more money into the wide receiver room when the Cowboys' defense finished last in scoring in 2025?
The Cincinnati Bengals might serve as a cautionary tale. The Bengals decided to extend wide receiver Tee Higgins and wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase on mega-deals simultaneously last spring, while their defense continues to be among the league's worst. Cincinnati has missed the playoffs the past three years, while the Cowboys have missed the playoffs the past two.
The more philosophical reasoning might be moot in the face of the Cowboys' current financial picture.
According to Spotrac, Pickens' estimated $28 million cap hit puts them "around $57 million over the $303 million league cap," and the second-round restricted free agent tenders for kicker Brandon Aubrey and guard T.J. Bass would bring that up to $68 million over the cap.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler has reported that Dallas plans to use the $5.8 million second-round tender on Bass, while negotiations are ongoing with Aubrey.
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