The Dallas Cowboys entered the 2026 NFL offseason with an urgent situation revolving around the future of star wide receiver George Pickens.
After acquiring Pickens last offseason following the NFL Draft from the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Cowboys saw him turn into an instant star. He posted career-best numbers and was a legitimate No. 1 option for Dak Prescott alongside of CeeDee Lamb.
Pickens played in all 17 regular season games for Dallas. He racked up 93 receptions for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns.
Jerry Jones and the front office decided to place the non-exclusive franchise tag on Pickens. He could return for the 2026 season on that tag, but it also allows other teams to negotiate a potential offer sheet with the rising star wide receiver. No updates have been shared about the team’s interest in a long-term extension.
That being said, the Seattle Seahawks‘ massive deal with Jaxon Smith-Njigba could throw another wrench in the Cowboys’ plans for Pickens.
Dallas Cowboys Insider Offers Concerning George Pickens Update
Mike Fisher of Roundtable Sports has revealed that the Smith-Njigba deal, along with last offseason’s trade of Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers, could spell bad news for Dallas with Pickens.
“This wouldn’t be nearly as worrisome without the Micah thing,” Fisher said.
“Before the Micah thing, the Cowboys often dragged it out, but they got it done. Dak drag out. CeeDee Lamb drag out. Tank Lawrence twice. Micah Parsons is the one crack in that armor where you now get to say they drag it out, cost themselves too much money, that’s their business. But with Micah, then they didn’t get their business done.”
Smith-Njigba received a four-year, $168.6 million contract extension from the Seahawks. That made him the NFL’s highest-paid wide receiver at $42.15 million per year.
It would be hard to see the Cowboys being willing to pay that kind of money to keep Pickens in town.
What Is the Likely Future for George Pickens in Dallas?
At the end of the day, it seems likely that Pickens will play the 2026 season with Dallas. The price tag of a new contract plus two first-round picks for another team to acquire Pickens this offseason would likely be too high for potential suitors.
However, there is a strong chance that Pickens could choose to leave town next offseason.
Jones and the Cowboys are already paying Lamb a lot of money. They’re paying Prescott a lot of money as well. Giving Pickens the kind of money he is expected to demand just doesn’t seem likely to be in the cards.
Dallas could decide to go all-in with the 25-year-old wide receiver next offseason. But, it’s much more likely that the Cowboys lose Pickens following the 2026 campaign.
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