The Cowboys like George Pickens a lot, just not enough to work out a long-term deal with him this year. 

Executive vice president Stephen Jones told reporters on Wednesday that they were halting contract talks with the wide receiver and instead plan for him to play on a franchise tag worth $27.3 million, which they placed on him back in March. 

“We’ve made a decision that we’re gonna have George play under the franchise tag, which won’t be a first for us,” Jones said. “There won’t be negotiations on a long-term deal. That’s certainly not a first for this organization and won’t be a first in the league, in terms of this decision as we move forward. So whether it’s Dak Prescott, who played under one and then got tagged a second time, whether that’s DeMarcus Lawrence or whether it’s Tony Pollard, we’ve had those situations.”

The Cowboys informed David Mulugheta, Pickens’ agent, that they would be discontinuing talks last week and Jones said the conversation was “super cordial.” 

Jerry Jones and head coach Brian Schottenheimer spoke directly to Pickens, 25, to inform him of their decision. 

There was a July 15 deadline for Pickens’ camp and the Cowboys to agree on a long-term deal because of his franchise-tag status.

While the Cowboys expressed excitement about having Pickens back this season, there is no guarantee that the receiver will attend any of the team’s offseason program that is set to begin next week.  

Pickens has not signed his offer sheet yet. 

Dallas acquired Pickens and a 2027 sixth-round pick in a trade with the Steelers that sent their 2026 third-round selection to the Steel City before the 2025 season. 

Pickens is coming off a year in which he tallied career highs in catches (93), yards (1,429) and receiving touchdowns (nine). 

“We’re so fired up to have George on this football team,” Jones said. “He’s been here for a year, and we gave up a third-round pick for him and he’s made tremendous progress in the year he’s been here. He’ll be the first to tell you this is a great situation for him — playing with CeeDee [Lamb] and Dak, and in Schottenheimer’s offense. He loves Coach Schottenheimer and what he brings to the table. But this is the conscious decision we’ve made.”