Sources: Cowboys to place franchise tag on WR George Pickens - ESPN

FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys will do what has been expected on Friday, placing the franchise tag on wide receiver George Pickens to secure his rights at least through 2026, sources told ESPN.

The franchise tag guarantees Pickens around $28 million in 2026, but working out a long-term deal remains a possibility.

The Cowboys met with Pickens' representatives on Thursday at the NFL scouting combine. The talks were described as more general than in-depth.

Earlier in the week, executive vice president Stephen Jones said the Cowboys were «leaning» toward using the tag on Pickens. Asked if Pickens could be a Cowboy for the long term on Thursday, coach Brian Schottenheimer said, «I hope so.»

Pickens' first season with the Cowboys could not have gone better.

Acquired along with a 2027 sixth-round pick from the Pittsburgh Steelers for a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round selection, Pickens put up career highs in catches (93), yards (1,429) and touchdowns (nine) while playing every game, being named to the Pro Bowl for the first time and earning second-team All-Pro honors.

Pickens, 24, had five games with more than 100 yards receiving, including two that came when CeeDee Lamb was out of the lineup because of a high ankle sprain. Pickens set a franchise record with five games of at least 130 yards receiving and a touchdown catch.

His 13 catches of at least 25 yards and 73 first-down receptions ranked in the top five in the NFL.

He and Dak Prescott had an instant chemistry in their first season, much like Prescott developed with Lamb and former Pro Bowler Amari Cooper.

Keeping Pickens on a long-term deal could be dicey.

The Cowboys signed Lamb to an extension in 2024 that pays him $34 million annually and included