FRISCO, Texas — With the window now open for the Dallas Cowboys to potentially apply the franchise tag to George Pickens, a foregone conclusion if no deal is struck before the tag deadline of March 3, negotiations will likely begin at the 2026 NFL Combine in Indianapolis.
The first deal struck was with Javonte Williams, the two sides signing a three-year deal that keeps the talented young running back in Dallas through 2028. Contenders for the next deal include All-Pro kicker Brandon Aubrey and impact edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney, but it's Pickens that rightfully carries the headlines — particularly with Aubrey being a restricted free agent.
Speaking to reporters from the start of the NFL Combine, executive vice president and director or player personnel Stephen Jones gave insight into the latest on Pickens, and more.
Jones noted "it takes time" when negotiating a deal with so many different machinations and that will be near the top of the market once it's done. He went on to double down on the fact the Cowboys "want Pickens here" and that they "love him" and "think the world of him".
For his part, Pickens has already made it clear he'd like to remain in Dallas, having already built an intense chemistry with All-Pro talent Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, as well as the locker room as a whole, and Jones views that "as all a plus" in their upcoming contract talks.
Should Pickens receive the franchise tag, there are questions outside the building regarding if he'll decide to play under it.
Jones rightfully notes the Cowboys have "had people play under the tag" previously, such as Prescott, DeMarcus Lawrence and Dalton Schultz, but that they've also "done deals with people that have a tag" — specifically Prescott and Lawrence, who both saw their last tag rescinded due to a new contract.
For the purposes of bookkeeping, it's key to note Pickens would forfeit $28 million in fully guaranteed salary and be forced to miss an entire year of football if he is tagged and, absent a deal by mid-July, choose to not play under it.
That doesn't sound as if it's something the Cowboys are currently concerned with, particularly considering they feel they can get a deal done with the newly-crowned Pro Bowler coming off of a 1,400-yard, nine touchdown season, career-highs in both categories; and Jones says that, if push comes to shove, the Cowboys can still "do everything we need to" if they're tied to a $28 million franchise tag, seeing as they can free up more than $130 million in restructures alone that do not require a player's permission.
Jones went on to touch on other topics as well.
Those included broaching contract talks with Aubrey, assessing "the fit" for Clowney in Christian Parker's defense, being "clearly open-minded" to another possible trade — possibly including one of the team's two first-round picks — and how this offseason will mostly be about throwing resources at the "fixing the defense", the staff now in place under Parker on that side of the ball.
An exceedingly pivotal offseason is now in full swing for the Cowboys and their new-look defensive staff, but as key as it is to repair that side of the ball, Dallas also understands the most important case on their docket is to secure Pickens for the future … and they plan to.
