Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens remains on $27.3 million franchise tag as three other tagged players sign extensions

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens will play the 2026 season on his $27.3 million franchise tender after the 4 p.m. ET deadline for tagged players to agree to extensions passed Wednesday without a deal. ESPN reported that the Cowboys had announced before the NFL draft in April they did not plan to hold talks on a long-term contract with Pickens.

The team last signed a first-time tagged player to an extension when it reached a deal with wide receiver Dez Bryant in 2015. Pickens has already signed the tender and is under contract for the season. Last month he said he was prepared to play on the tag.

After the first day of mandatory minicamp he added: "Like the tag and all that, it's just football first. So, definitely play football first, kind of like I did last year, and then worry about [the contract] ... " Pickens was one of four players tagged in 2026.

The other three signed extensions before the deadline: Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones agreed to a two-year, $88 million contract in March; New York Jets running back Breece Hall signed a three-year, $43.5 million deal in May; and Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr.

Since 2015 the Cowboys have placed the tag on quarterback Dak Prescott, defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, tight end Dalton Schultz and running back Tony Pollard.

Prescott and Lawrence later signed extensions after a second tag. Schultz and Pollard left via free agency after one season under the tag. The Cowboys acquired Pickens and a 2027 sixth-round pick from the Pittsburgh Steelers last year for a 2026 third-round pick and 2027 fifth-round pick.