Doesn't it feel good to have no contract drama heading into June? Contract theatrics have become a rite of passage for the Dallas Cowboys, but by franchise-tagging George Pickens and swiftly announcing that they won't negotiate an extension this offseason, Dallas did everything to invite distractions into training camp.
If drama ensues, it'll fall on Pickens, who signed the tender after the Cowboys extended an "olive branch" to Pickens and agent David Mulugheta. Since signing, though, the All-Pro receiver has not reported to voluntary workouts.
It could set the stage for a potential hold-in this summer -- or a potential trade demand -- but NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero doesn't buy that. Here's what Pelissero said about the Pickens saga during an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show:
"I don't see somebody being willing to give up a first-round pick and more for George Pickens right now, on top of giving him the contract. If nobody's going to do it, why would the Cowboys?
"... Can I 100% say he'll be a Cowboy in 2026? No. Because, again, things change. Things move. Injuries happen. Needs change. But, all things equal, sitting here right now, I believe George Pickens is on the Cowboys in 2026."
George Pickens will be on the Dallas Cowboys next season barring a shocking twist
The big takeaway from Pelissero's insight? Barring a shocking plot twist, Pickens will be a Dallas Cowboy in 2026. Granted, that has long seemed like the outcome, but it's been a bumpy ride, to say the least.
The Cowboys didn't just tag Pickens, they placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on him, giving him freedom to negotiate with other teams and sign an offer sheet. If the Cowboys declined to match the offer sheet, they'd be entitled to two first-round picks.
Obviously, nobody was going to pay two firsts for Pickens, but the price could have been negotiated. Even if using the non-exclusive tag was a leverage play by Dallas to gauge Pickens' market, it opened the possibility of a trade.
It wasn't until the night before the 2026 NFL Draft on April 22 that Stephen Jones revealed the team won't discuss a long-term contract with Pickens. That left over a month of speculating over Pickens' future.
Sure enough, the trade chatter returned with a bang on draft night after reports earlier that day said Pickens would sign the tag, opening the door to a potential tag-and-trade. The Cowboys had also been linked to Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, fueling speculation they could move Pickens and immediately draft his replacement.
That never came to pass, as Dallas reinforced that night that they have zero intention of trading Pickens. But the timing of Pickens’ decision to sign the tag made it feel very real.
Pelissero believes that the Cowboys "would be willing to listen" to trade offers for Pickens. But barring a major injury, he doesn't envision a team making Dallas a viable offer.
It hasn’t always been clear, but all signs point to Pickens reporting when required and playing next season on the tag. After all, performing at a high level while showing continued growth and leadership is his clearest path to his ultimate goal: becoming one of the game’s highest-paid receivers.
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