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George Pickens #3 of the Dallas Cowboys

For the Dallas Cowboys and the prime decision makers in the front office–owner Jerry Jones and his son, COO Stephen Jones–the matter of star receiver George Pickens and his free agency was settled pretty early on. They told anyone who would listen that they would be putting the franchise tag on Pickens, and would be giving him one year and $27.3 million, the value of that deal. There was still a window for further negotiations on a long-term deal, up until July 15, but the Joneses closed it immediately.

Pickens had the option of finding a team willing to give him a massive new contract, which the Cowboys could either match or not–if they did not, Pickens would be free to sign with the new team, and the Cowboys would get a second-round pick. But that deadline passed last month, and there were no bites on Pickens around the NFL. Thus, Pickens signed the tag contract.

That’s where things have sat for the spring, with voluntary OTAs coming early next month and mandatory minicamp in mid-June. But it has not ended the speculation on what will happen next with Pickens.

Cowboys Could Franchise Tag George Pickens in 2027

First, there is the question of when Pickens will show up for the Cowboys this offseason. He doesn’t need to do so until minicamp, but he could conceivably skip that if he is not happy. But beyond that is, what happens going forward with Pickens–and what if he plays well and the Cowboys use their right to tag him again next offseason?

That was a question that ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler put to executives around the NFL this week, and the answers signal that while Pickens may play on the franchise tag in 2026, the situation could deteriorate if he plays well and does not get a long-term deal thereafter.

George Pickens Might ‘Revolt’

Pickens did test the trade market, Fowler reported, and found that there was nothing that would warrant a move away from the Cowboys. Moreover, the Cowboys have the opportunity in 10 months to tag Pickens again next year, on a contract worth $33 million for one year. But here’s what one exec said on this future:

“Dallas is going to face a big decision because Pickens is set up to have another productive season and the receiver market has skyrocketed. If they tag him again without the promise of a new deal, he could revolt.”

Cowboys Might Give in on Long-Term Contract Next Year

“Revolt” is vague, of course. What Pickens could do, realistically, if he matches the 93 catches and 1,429 yards he posted this season–or anything close to it–is again seek a trade elsewhere, with a higher chance he could get one. Teams would want to see his production repeated before they shell out for him.

Short of that, Pickens’ only option would be a holdout. Not exactly revolutionary, but it could be a monkey wrench in Dallas’s plans. This year has, so far, been peaceful with Pickens, but maybe that changes.

Fowler quoted his exec saying, “”I’m kind of surprised it didn’t get ugly this offseason. I understand the character stuff, but he produced at a ridiculous level last year If he does it again, then he can hold their feet to the fire a little more. And they still have to be willing to hold that franchise tag number on their [2027] books, which isn’t always easy.”