George Pickens showcased immense potential during his initial three seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. His combination of speed, size, leaping ability, and reliable catching made him a standout, averaging 16.3 yards per reception—one of the highest in the league.
Despite this impressive performance, the Steelers opted to part ways with Pickens last offseason. This decision ranks among their more regrettable choices in recent years. Meanwhile, Pickens excelled with the Dallas Cowboys, notching 93 receptions for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns, filling the role of WR2 effectively, while Pittsburgh struggled for production in that position.
Being among the top ten in receptions and receiving touchdowns, as well as third in yards, sets Pickens up for a lucrative contract. While he might not have secured the massive deal he desired, the Cowboys strategically assigned him the franchise tag. This ensures he will receive compensation comparable to a top-five wide receiver for 2026, a move that NFL analyst Louis Riddick emphasizes was well-deserved.
“George has a strong case for wanting to be compensated like a No. 1 wide receiver. He has earned that recognition,” Riddick noted. “Dallas is aware of this. However, they are already allocating over $33 million per year to another player. It complicates the team’s financial strategy, yet they also recognize his value.”
“Teams possess detailed insights about what could make them hesitant to commit long-term funding to a player that we might not fully understand.”@LRiddickESPN shares his thoughts on the Cowboys franchise tagging their WR George Pickens 🏈 pic.twitter.com/bJ7nYmD4cg
— First Take (@FirstTake) February 27, 2026
Riddick further indicated that the decision to offer Pickens a one-year, $28 million franchise tag instead of pursuing a long-term contract stems from concerns about his attitude and behavior off the field, notably more than those surrounding fellow Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb’s lucrative contract.
“There’s an element of risk involved when a player no longer has a long-term incentive dangling in front of them, especially when they’ve attained financial security,” Riddick explained. “And with George, you can be sure that Dallas is considering that factor given his past in Pittsburgh. It’s likely to lead to a prolonged negotiation process as both sides navigate these complexities.”
Despite external opinions forecasting another drawn-out negotiation between Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and a star player, Jones himself appears more optimistic than in previous scenarios.
“I’m in constant communication with George due to my excitement for his contributions,” Jones stated. “He’s shown remarkable potential in what he brings to our team, and I’m eager to see us reach an agreement so George can continue to be part of the Cowboys’ legacy.”
Lamb signed a substantial four-year, $136 million contract with Dallas in 2024, equating to $34 million annually—ranking third among NFL wideouts. When Pickens ultimately finalizes his deal, expectations point towards compensation in a similar ballpark or potentially even higher, reflecting his dominant performance last year in Dallas’ explosive offensive scheme.
