SAN FRANCISCO − What probably won’t be a very robust NFL free agent market a month from now is apparently already losing some luster.
According to ESPN, the Dallas Cowboys plan to apply the franchise tag to wideout George Pickens, whose rookie contract is set to expire in March. Acquired in a trade from the Pittsburgh Steelers after last year’s draft, Pickens responded with a career season − his 93 receptions, 1,429 receiving yards and nine touchdown catches all career highs.
The franchise tag for wide receivers in 2025 was roughly $24 million but will doubtless increase by a few million this year.
‘I feel like, if anything, it went up,’ Pickens told the Cowboys’ website earlier this week during the Pro Bowl Games when asked about his price tag for 2026.
‘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.’
Pickens, a second-round draft pick by Pittsburgh in 2022, also said he ‘would love to’ remain in Dallas.
‘But when you can’t control it,’ he added, ‘you kind of just hope for the best.’
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has already expressed a desire to retain Pickens.
‘I’m talking to George all the time by virtue of my excitement for him,’ Jones told his team’s website.
‘He’s better than, as far as what he contributed to our team, showing the potential that he could contribute. I’m looking forward to getting things worked out so George can be a Cowboy a long time.’
Dallas wideout CeeDee Lamb has three years left on a four-year, $136 million extension.
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