NFL cornerback-turned-analyst Jason McCourty believes Cowboys star WR George Pickens should be focused on securing the bag

CBS Sports's Bryan DeArdo argued the Dallas Cowboys should still trade WR George Pickens even though he just signed the NFL's franchise tag.

George Pickens’ contract saga with the Cowboys has taken another twist. Just a day after Dallas announced it would not negotiate a long-term deal with Pickens, the wide receiver intends to sign his franchise tag tender,

George Pickens is officially signing the franchise tag on Thursday, locking himself into a one-year deal worth around $27.3 million with the Cowboys for the 2026 season. Dallas’s front office has made clear that a long-term contract for Pickens was not in the cards this offseason, though the team has maintained that it wants to keep him in Dallas.

One of the Cowboys' most dynamic weapons will play the 2026 season on the franchise tag after the team ended long-term contract talks.

Dallas' decision to tag Pickens rather than extend him now opens the door for teams to explore trade scenarios ahead of the 2026 season.