Cowboys’ George Pickens on impending free agency: ‘I’m willing to do anything’
As the Dallas Cowboys move deeper into the offseason, one of the bigger tasks on the agenda is getting a long-term extension figured out for wide receiver George Pickens — or not.
Speaking at the Pro Bowl Games in San Francisco on Monday morning, Pickens knows what’s ahead. Unlike Micah Parsons last offseason, he hasn’t had any direct conversations with owner Jerry Jones about the future, as he’s wisely leaving it in the hands of his agent.
Three options are ahead for the team. They could sign him to a long-term extension, they could franchise tag him, or they could trade him this offseason. Whatever the scenario ends up being, Pickens is “hoping for the best.” The “best” in his eyes is staying in Dallas.
“Definitely just kind of wait it out and hope for the best,” Pickens said. “I would love to [stay in Dallas]. But when you can’t control it, you kind of just hope for the best.”
The expectation is that Dallas will use the franchise tag on Pickens, at least early on, as a placeholder so that he doesn’t hit free agency on March 11. If they do so, the team would have until July 15 to work out a long-term extension. If no deal is reached by then, he will play on the one-year franchise tag, which is expected to be around $28 million for 2026.
When asked about the tag, Pickens says that he hasn’t put a lot of thought into it. He went so far as to say he’d be open to it if it works for everyone involved.
“If it’s the best thing for both parties, then I’m willing to do anything,” he said. “But like I said, I can’t control it, so I just kind of chill. ... Just the ultimate best deal when it helps everybody.”
Coming into 2025, Pickens’ value was not expected to reach the value it has peaked at. In one year, he set career-highs in all major receiving categories in hauling in 93 receptions for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns. It paved the way for his first Pro Bowl nod and an honor on the AP All-Pro second team.
The star receivier knows what those kinds of numbers bring to his value.
“I feel like, if anything, it went up,” Pickens said. “But me personally, my value is just a playmaker type of guy. I feel like any team or wherever I play — I can be playing in Canada — I just want them to know that I’m definitely a playmaker.”
After his first season with the Cowboys, his playmaking ability is a given. Will there be any other factors that ownership factors in when putting a contract on his plate?
Time will tell, but the clock is now ticking on who will make the first move.
This story was originally published February 2, 2026 at 3:32 PM.
