Pickens will play.
After not coming to an agreement on a long-term contract this offseason, Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens was signed to the franchise tag for a one-year, $27.5 million prove-it deal in April. And while there was some skepticism that he might ask for a trade or sit out practices, that is not the case.
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Pickens told reporters on Tuesday that he will be attending all mandatory practices with the Cowboys.
The 25-year-old wideout added that he’s not upset about receiving the franchise tag instead of a long-term deal and will not be holding out of training camp.
George Pickens at Cowboys minicamp. AP Photo/Gareth Patterson
Pickens didn’t show up at voluntary workouts but told reporters Tuesday that it was not his choice, stating he was following the advice of his agent.
The playmaker is coming off his best season in the NFL after recording 1,429 yards and scoring nine touchdowns to get picked for his first Pro Bowl. Last year was Pickens’ first in Dallas after being traded from the Steelers for third- and fifth-round picks.
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Now, Pickens will have some monetary incentives to perform at a high level again next season, given the franchise tag.
But the Cowboys receiver provided the media with a different motivation that will be at the forefront of his mind during the 2026 season.
George Pickens was named the offensive MVP of the Pro Bowl. AP
“What’s important to me is winning,” Pickens said. “Like I said from the beginning, I always wanna bring a Super Bowl to a group of guys that never had that feeling. That’s really the most important part to me,” Pickens said.
Both players and fans in Dallas would be elated if Pickens could become an integral part of a Super Bowl run. The Cowboys have not been to the Super Bowl since winning it all in 1995.
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Pickens remains a part of one of the best 1-2 punch receiving duos in the NFL. He and CeeDee Lamb both had more than 1,000 yards last season to give quarterback Dak Prescott elite weapons.
What held the Cowboys back was the defense, which gave up the third-most yards per game in the league. The offense, in contrast, boasted 392 yards per game, No. 2 in the NFL.
The team is looking to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2023 in an NFC East that has seen many changes this offseason.
