When the Dallas Cowboys traded for George Pickens, they were looking to add a weapon to their passing attack, which already had CeeDee Lamb. They got exactly what they hoped for with Pickens in the 2025 season. But now that the player is an unrestricted free agent, it is time the franchise makes a decision. That’s exactly what owner Jerry Jones hinted at in his latest media interaction.

“Absolutely,” Jerry Jones said on Thursday, as reported by Calvin Watkins, when asked about being able to pay Pickens’ fair market value. “A lot of the reasons I did some of the things that I did last year were to retain some players that, if it had gone in different directions, I couldn’t have done it.”

The Cowboys also have the option of using the franchise tag, but it would cost the front office roughly $28 million for the season, all of which would hit the salary cap immediately. Since both sides haven’t started contract discussions yet, there is a likelihood that the team might use the franchise tag option to lengthen negotiations and keep Pickens in Dallas. When Jones was further asked about whether or not he was worried about how the franchise tag would affect Pickens, the owner had a diplomatic response.

“Not any more at all than any other player,” Jones mentioned. “No. In fact, my emphasis on feeling good about him off the field, or any of those issues, has to do with me not differentiating him from any of the top players. Obviously, if you franchise somebody, they’re not getting exactly where they want to be. That’s the way that works. Would I be more concerned with him than I would be with anybody? The answer is not at all.”

That was Jones’ perspective, and it obviously is in favor of the team. When a franchise tag option is used, it limits the player’s market to that one organization. Interestingly enough, the franchise has not used that option since 2023. Back then, they placed running back Tony Pollard on the franchise tag option, and after that season, he left in free agency.

If that happens, though, Pickens wouldn’t know how to feel about it.

“It would be my first time [franchise tag]. I wouldn’t really know how to react,” the player said on Monday when asked about this scenario. “I would want to just be with the guys … all I can say is I hope for the best. I can’t really control the uncontrollables.”

But here’s the thing: As per Spotrac, the player’s market value for a year is over $30 million. But a franchise tag option would limit him to $28 million for one year. So, Pickens might miss out financially.

All that considered, it will be intriguing to see what the Cowboys do. February 17 to March 3 is the timeframe when NFL teams can exercise the franchise tag. Once that period is gone, Pickens will have until July 15 to sign an extension with the Cowboys. If at all, things don’t work, the receiver will have to stay limited to a one-year franchise tag deal with Jones’ team.

As per inside chatter, the franchise is yet to start discussions with Pickens’ representation.

The last high-profile negotiation the Cowboys had was with Micah Parsons, but everyone knows how that went. Coincidentally, Parsons and Pickens are both represented by Athletes First.

Teammate CeeDee Lamb wants George Pickens in Dallas

CeeDee Lamb signed a massive 2024 extension that pays him $136 million over four years. And after the kind of season Pickens put together in 2025, he could easily push for a deal that tops Lamb’s $34 million-per-year average. While fans will have to let time pass for more clarity on Pickens’ situation, Lamb has made it clear that he wants his teammate to stay.

“I don’t care [if Pickens’ contract turns out to be bigger than his own]; I just want my man to get what he deserves,” Lamb said on San Antonio’s Sports Star radio station. “As for me, I know I’m good. I’m fine. My family, we’re straight, and I just want to compete at the highest level, and I want to compete for a ring.”

When Lamb missed time with an injury, Pickens stepped in as the top target and consistently produced, displaying elite route-running. Once Lamb was back, the two made up one of the league’s more dangerous receiving tandems.

Top Stories

Cowboys Legend Deion Sanders Announces NFL Boycott After 32 Franchises Disrespect Son Shedeur Sanders

Patrick Mahomes’ Dad Faces 10-Year Prison Sentence After Chiefs QB’s Father Reportedly Violated Probation Terms

Justin Jefferson Makes Final Decision on Joining Buffalo Bills After Further Damaging J.J. McCarthy Relationship

Prayers Pour In From Jordan Love & Co. as Cowboys Star Mourns Tragic Personal Loss

Kansas City Announces $1.8B Decision for Chiefs’ Stadium After Clark Hunt’s HQ Plans Approved

Pickens ended the season with 1,429 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, one of his more productive years. At the same time, his presence was a big reason behind an injury-free Dak Prescott’s production, as the quarterback ended the year with 4,552 passing yards.

Since Pickens arrived on a one-year deal, the season doubled as a prove-it opportunity. Now the question for Jones is whether that proof is enough to warrant a longer commitment. Dak Prescott certainly believes it is worth it and has made it clear that he’d be willing to step in if required.

“The guy out here that doesn’t have a contract,” he said earlier this week. “Whichever way they do it, he’s an important piece of this offense and an important piece of what we’re trying to do. So, leave it to those guys, but obviously, if I need to get involved, I have said it before, I will.”

At this point, the decision is entirely with the Cowboys’ front office. But with the Green Bay Packers reportedly showing interest, time may not be on Dallas’ side. Meanwhile, fellow WR CeeDee Lamb is trying his best to keep the recruiters away from Pickens.

Packers players push for George Pickens, but Lamb stands in between

Since the Pro Bowl wrapped up, Packers players have been pretty open about their interest in Pickens. And they haven’t been subtle about the matter. Micah Parsons was among those making a pitch to Pickens during the entirety of the Pro Bowl, and Lamb wasn’t too happy about it.

“Everybody in my face is trying to recruit him while I’m standing right next to him,” Lamb said on the Up & Adams show on Wednesday. “They’re not getting him.”

It’s not just Parsons, either. On Thursday’s appearance on Up & Adams, Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love addressed his relationship with George Pickens and the possibility of seeing him in Green Bay.

“If you can bring in another player, George Pickens. He had a phenomenal year; he’s a great player,” Love said. “I would love to have the most talented players on our team at all times, and we’ll see.”

Love is locked into a four-year, $220 million deal that keeps him with the Green Bay Packers through at least 2028. Pickens, on the other hand, is still looking for his next contract, and if the Dallas Cowboys aren’t willing to meet his price, someone else will be ready to step in. But Lamb has full faith in Jerry Jones for getting the job done.

“GP is now my business,” Lamb sent out a message to Pickens’ recruiters. “I need us to all relax first; let’s take a chill pill, and let Jerry cook. You all don’t have any say in this. You all can just wait until we’re done, because I want to play with him some more. We have to have many more seasons to go; I feel like we didn’t have a full season.”

Jones had indicated that the Cowboys have the means to get it done, but things need to accelerate. If things don’t get resolved in Dallas, the Green Bay Packers are clearly positioned to make a push.