FRISCO, TEXAS — The Dallas Cowboys will not engage in long-term contract talks with wide receiver George Pickens and intend for him to play the 2026 season under his franchise tender, worth $27.3 million fully guaranteed. Pickens plans to sign the tag, which would allow him to participate in the team's offseason program beginning Monday.

The Cowboys have no assurances about when or if Pickens will report to the offseason program. By signing the franchise tag, Pickens can be fined for missing mandatory minicamp in June or training camp in July.

Stephen Jones, the Cowboys' chief operating officer and executive vice president of player personnel, said the business considerations of a second large contract at the wide receiver position and Pickens's newness with the team were reasons for halting long-term contract talks. Talks between the Cowboys and Pickens's agent, David Mulugheta, were cordial.

The timing of Pickens's decision, which came two hours before the start of the NFL Draft, prompted speculation about a trade. Jones said the Cowboys have zero intention of moving him.

Pickens was acquired last offseason in a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He posted career highs last season with 93 catches, 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns. He earned $6.8 million on his rookie contract.

The Cowboys could not use the franchise tag on wide receiver CeeDee Lamb because he was entering the fifth year of his rookie contract, while second-round picks such as Pickens sign four-year deals. Lamb missed the entire 2024 offseason and training camp while holding out for a contract he signed two weeks before the season opener. He is entering the second year of a four-year, $136 million deal with an average annual value of $34 million.

Last year, Jerry Jones and Micah Parsons reached an agreement on a deal that would have made Parsons the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL, but talks cooled when the agent balked. Dak Prescott and DeMarcus Lawrence each played a season under the franchise tag within the past eight years for the Cowboys before reaching long-term deals.

Dalton Schultz and Tony Pollard each played under the franchise tag before leaving in free agency the following year.

Dallas finished last season 7-9-1, missing the playoffs for the second consecutive year. The Cowboys hold the 12th and 20th overall picks in the first round of the upcoming NFL Draft.