Sports

Cowboys' Dak Prescott Breaks Silence on George Pickens Situation

Things have been interesting, to say the least, between the Dallas Cowboys and star wide receiver George Pickens this offseason.

The team placed the franchise tag on him shortly after the season ended, and Pickens didn't sign that tender until shortly after the draft amid reports he wanted to be traded after the Cowboys stated they had no intention of working out a long-term contract with him next season.

As things sit now, Pickens plans to play the 2026 season on the one-year, $27.3 million franchise tender, and the Cowboys have no intention of trading him. Now that the dramatics have died down, quarterback Dak Prescott has weighed in on the situation.

"I've just shown George my support," Prescott recently told reporters. "The guy that I know George is, obviously he signed the tag, so when he's asked to be there and ready to play, he's going to be there. He's a hell of a talent. We've grown this offseason, so I'm comfortable with where he's at and excited for when he can get in the building and get rolling."

Pickens, fresh off a breakout 93-catch, 1,429-yard, nine-touchdown season last year, hasn't been shy about his desire to get paid. The franchise tag is a big bump in salary from the $3.6 million he made in 2025, but it's presumably $5 million to $10 million less per year than he could've got on a multiyear extension.

If the Cowboys don't sign Pickens to an extension next offseason, one anonymous NFL executive believes it could cause a major problem that might make Pickens take drastic action.

"Dallas is going to face a big decision because Pickens is set up to have another productive season and the receiver market has skyrocketed," the executive told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. "If they tag him again without the promise of a new deal, he could revolt."

2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.

This story was originally published May 15, 2026 at 2:57 PM.

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