The deadline for NFL players and teams to reach long-term contract agreements passed on Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET, leaving several tagged players set to compete under their franchise tenders. Dallas Cowboys receiver George Pickens is among those who will not receive a new deal before the deadline.
The 25-year-old wide receiver is expected to earn $27.3 million during the 2026 season after the Cowboys and Pickens failed to reach an agreement on an extended contract. According to ESPN, Pickens has already signed his franchise tender and is officially under contract for the upcoming campaign.
Cowboys planned to rely on franchise tag
A one-year arrangement was not a surprise, as Dallas indicated during April’s NFL Draft that the team was not planning to continue negotiations on a long-term contract with Pickens.
The receiver had previously expressed that he was comfortable with playing under the tag. Speaking after the opening day of mandatory minicamp, Pickens said his priority was focusing on football before dealing with contract matters.
“Like the tag and all that, it’s just football first,” Pickens said. “So, definitely play football first, kind of like I did last year, and then worry about [the contract] … Well, let my agent worry about it, really.”