George Pickens contract: Cowboys expected to franchise tag star WR, per report

George Pickens will be a Dallas Cowboy next season, as the team is expected to place a franchise tag on the Pro Bowl receiver, according to a report from ESPN.

Dallas intends to keep Pickens on the roster, with the franchise tag worth around $28 million for next season likely serving as a starting point for negotiations to extend the wideout’s contract.

“I talk to George all the time because of my enthusiasm for him,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said recently of Pickens’ future. “He’s better than, as far as he’s contributed to our team, showing the potential he could bring. I look forward to getting things sorted out so George can be a Cowboy. [for] a long time.”

Pickens was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. After three productive seasons in Pittsburgh, he was traded to Dallas.

Last season, Pickens had the best year of his career, catching 93 passes for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns as the Cowboys went 7-9-1 and missed the playoffs. He was selected to the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career.

Pickens’ counterpart, elite wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, recently said he would have no problem if Pickens ended up with a bigger contract than his.

“I don’t care, I just want my man to get what he deserves,” Lamb said on Super Bowl radio. “As for me, I know I’m fine. I’m fine. Me and my family are heterosexual, and I just want to compete at the highest level and I want to compete for a ring.

“The money will come if you play well, so play well and let everything else take care of itself. As for GP, he deserves it. He deserves every penny he gets. And if he gets more than me, I’m going to congratulate him for that.”