George Pickens, the Dallas Cowboys wide receiver, has signed his franchise tag tender, securing a $27.3 million salary for the 2025 NFL season, according to a source cited by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The move comes after the Cowboys declined to negotiate a long-term contract extension with Pickens, who is entering his second year with the team. By signing the tender, Pickens ensures his presence at mandatory minicamp in June and training camp, avoiding potential fines for non-participation.
The decision also opens the door to a possible trade, though no discussions with other teams have occurred as of yet. Under NFL rules, a player must sign their franchise tag offer before being eligible for a trade. If Pickens had signed an offer sheet with another team, the Cowboys would have been entitled to two first-round draft picks as compensation. However, they could have accepted alternative compensation if desired.
Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones confirmed that the organization had spoken with Pickens’ agent, David Mulugheta, to inform him that no long-term contract negotiations would take place. Jones cited the financial burden of paying two top-tier receivers—Pickens and CeeDee Lamb—among the highest salaries in the league, especially alongside quarterback Dak Prescott, who remains one of the NFL’s highest-paid players.
“It’s not effortless to have two receivers (CeeDee Lamb, NDLR) who touch the highest salaries on the market,” Jones said in French during a press conference, as reported by RDS. “It’s obviously a bit exaggerated, especially when you have other excellent players on the team. A quarterback (Dak Prescott) who has been here for a long time and has been the league’s highest-paid player for many years. That’s certainly a factor. The other element is the novelty of having George. I perceive George has done an incredible job…”
Pickens, a former second-round pick from the University of Georgia, recorded 54 receptions for 827 yards and four touchdowns in his rookie season of 2023. His production increased in 2024, with 69 catches for 1,142 yards and five touchdowns, establishing himself as a primary target in Dallas’ passing attack despite inconsistent quarterback play.
The situation mirrors recent tensions within the Cowboys’ locker room, where star linebacker Micah Parsons publicly demanded a trade in August 2025 after growing frustrated with the team’s handling of his contract negotiations. Parsons, who has not participated in on-field activities during training camp despite being present, accused the organization of leaking negative narratives about him to the media and refusing to engage his agent in discussions.
Parsons’ agent had advised him to wait before signing a deal to maximize his market value, but Parsons insisted he wanted long-term security with Dallas. He claimed the Cowboys had not held a single conversation with his representation regarding contract terms, a sentiment echoed by his public statements on social media platform X.
Both Pickens and Parsons represent key young talents whose contractual situations could shape the Cowboys’ roster strategy moving forward. While the team has invested heavily in Prescott, Lamb, and Parsons, the reluctance to extend similar commitments to other emerging stars raises questions about Dallas’ long-term player retention philosophy.
As of now, Pickens remains under contract for the 2025 season at the franchise tag value. Any potential trade would require his consent and a mutually agreeable deal between the Cowboys and another franchise. The next opportunity for clarification on his status will likely approach after mandatory minicamp in June, when attendance and participation are formally assessed.
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