George Pickens Complicates Cowboys Offseason Plans

Dallas Cowboys Face $135 Million Decision on George Pickens Contract Extension

The Dallas Cowboys are facing a major financial decision. Star wide receiver George Pickens is playing on the final year of his rookie contract. His spectacular 2025 season is forcing the team’s hand. A massive new deal is now required to keep him.

Owner Jerry Jones traded for Pickens before the season. He chose not to extend him then. That gamble is now coming due. According to NFL Network, Pickens’ performance has made him a top-paid receiver lock. The Cowboys must pay up or risk losing their offensive star.

George Pickens contract

Market Comparables Set a Lofty Price Floor

Pickens’ current stats are elite. He has over 1,100 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns already. He is outperforming his highly-paid teammate, CeeDee Lamb, in several categories. This gives him tremendous leverage in negotiations.

His camp will point to recent deals for similar players. Garrett Wilson of the Jets signed for $32.5 million per year. Pickens’ production this year surpasses Wilson’s platform season. Accounting for salary cap inflation, Wilson’s deal sets a floor near $35 million annually for Pickens.

Another strong comparison is Seattle’s D.K. Metcalf. Their early career profiles are very similar. Metcalf signed a $24 million per year deal in 2022. Adjusted for today’s higher salary cap, that equals about $34.5 million now. These numbers create a clear market value.

The Internal Ceiling and Tag Scenario

The Cowboys have an internal benchmark. CeeDee Lamb makes $34 million per year. The team may resist paying Pickens more than their established number one receiver. This could create a ceiling around $33.5 million annually.

This gap could lead to a franchise tag. Using the tag in 2026 would cost an estimated $28 million. It is a short-term fix. It would push the big decision back one year. A second tag in 2027 would cost over $33 million.

That path is messy and costly. It consumes cap space without long-term security. The smart move is a four-year extension now. A deal worth roughly $134 million seems the likely outcome. It keeps the roster intact and rewards a superstar.

The Dallas Cowboys must now decide how much George Pickens is worth to their future. His contract extension will be one of the NFL’s biggest stories this offseason.

Info at your fingertips

Q1: How much is George Pickens’ new contract expected to be worth?

Based on current market comparables, a new contract for George Pickens is projected to be around four years and $134 million. This would average approximately $33.5 million per season, making him one of the NFL’s highest-paid receivers.

Q2: Why is Pickens in line for such a large deal now?

He is in the final year of his rookie contract and having a career season. He has already surpassed 1,100 yards and is outperforming his costly teammate, CeeDee Lamb, giving him immense leverage in negotiations.

Q3: Could the Cowboys use the franchise tag on him?

Yes, that is a likely possibility if a long-term deal isn’t reached. The 2026 franchise tag for a wide receiver is projected to be about $28 million. This would delay a final decision by one year.

Q4: Who are the main contract comparisons for Pickens?

Analysts point to deals for Garrett Wilson ($32.5M/year) and an inflation-adjusted version of D.K. Metcalf’s contract. Internally, CeeDee Lamb’s $34 million annual salary sets a potential ceiling for Pickens’ new deal.

Q5: When did the Cowboys acquire George Pickens?

The Dallas Cowboys traded for wide receiver George Pickens ahead of the 2025 NFL season. They sent a third-round draft pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers to acquire him.