Cowboys Aim to Retain Star Receiver George Pickens with Dez Bryant-Style Contract

Dallas looks to lock up Pickens long-term after his breakout 2025 season.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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The Dallas Cowboys are working to re-sign star wide receiver George Pickens, who is set to become a free agent. The team is hoping to replicate their successful contract negotiations with Dez Bryant in 2015, when they used the franchise tag as a bridge to a long-term deal. With receiver salaries skyrocketing, the Cowboys face a challenge in keeping Pickens while also paying top dollar to CeeDee Lamb. The franchise tag is an option, but the goal is to reach a long-term agreement to keep Pickens in Dallas for the foreseeable future.

Why it matters

Retaining Pickens is crucial for the Cowboys to maintain their potent passing attack and keep their Super Bowl window open. The team's defense needs upgrading, so keeping their offensive firepower intact is a top priority for the franchise.

The details

The Cowboys have stated that quarterback Dak Prescott, coach Brian Schottenheimer, and owner/GM Jerry Jones all want Pickens to remain in Dallas. Pickens has also expressed a desire to stay with the team. Using the franchise tag would guarantee Pickens' services for 2026, but it could lead to him sitting out the offseason program, minicamp, and/or training camp as the sides work towards a long-term deal.

  • The Cowboys last used the franchise tag before a long-term agreement with Dez Bryant in 2015.

The players

George Pickens

A star wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys who is set to become a free agent after a breakout 2025 season.

Dez Bryant

A former star wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys who the team was able to sign to a long-term contract after using the franchise tag on him in 2015.

CeeDee Lamb

The Cowboys' top wide receiver who is already being paid a premium salary, complicating the team's efforts to also retain George Pickens long-term.

Dak Prescott

The Cowboys' starting quarterback who has expressed a desire to keep Pickens in Dallas.

Brian Schottenheimer

The Cowboys' head coach who has also stated the team wants to retain Pickens.

Jerry Jones

The owner and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys who will be leading the contract negotiations to keep Pickens in Dallas.

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What they’re saying

“The most recent player to be tagged for the first time by the Cowboys before agreeing to a long-term agreement in the same window was Dez Bryant in 2015.”

— Todd Archer, ESPN Reporter (ESPN)

“Quarterback Dak Prescott, coach Brian Schottenheimer and owner/general manager Jerry Jones have also said they want Pickens to return.”

— Todd Archer, ESPN Reporter (ESPN)

“Pickens has stated he would like to remain in Dallas.”

— Todd Archer, ESPN Reporter (ESPN)

What’s next

The Cowboys will need to decide whether to use the franchise tag on Pickens by the March 7th deadline. If they do, they will then have until July 15th to work out a long-term contract extension with him.

The takeaway

The Cowboys' ability to retain star receiver George Pickens will be a key storyline this offseason, as the team looks to maintain their offensive firepower and keep their Super Bowl window open. Dallas has a history of successfully using the franchise tag as a bridge to a long-term deal, as they did with Dez Bryant in 2015, and they'll hope to replicate that success with Pickens.