The George Pickens contract saga is officially over. You can argue it has been for a while now, but nothing can change his contract status now. That’s because the NFL’s July 15 deadline to extend franchise-tagged players came and went with no long-term deal between the Dallas Cowboys and their star wide receiver. 

That was as unsurprising as it gets. The Cowboys said before the draft they had no intention of negotiating an extension, and Stephen Jones’ favorite line about deadlines making deals didn’t apply here. Pickens will play on the franchise tag in 2026, earning over $27 million on a 1-year deal. By rule, the two sides cannot revisit a long-term extension until after the season.

Now that the deadline is in the rearview mirror, let’s talk football. Because I believe George Pickens is going to be an even better player for Dallas in 2026, and I’ve got three reasons why.

The Cowboys underestimated what Pickens could do

I cannot emphasize this enough: before Dak Prescott, George Pickens played for the likes of Justin Fields, a diminished version of Russell Wilson, and Kenny Pickett. He was part of mediocre Steelers offenses that drew criticism for years. As soon as he landed with the Cowboys and Prescott started throwing him the ball, Pickens earned second-team All-Pro honors and racked up over 1,429 receiving yards and nine touchdowns.

Here’s the thing, Cowboys offensive coordinator Klayton Adams said something during the 2025 bye week that still matters. In October, he claimed Pickens “has more range than we anticipated.” 

That simple quote carries weight because Dallas traded a third-round pick for Pickens last May. They prepared for the season with a vision of Pickens that fell short of the actual player.

Adams specifically mentioned yards after the catch, noting Pickens could run the route tree typical for an X receiver but also do more with the ball in his hands. If the coaching staff designed a strong offense last year without knowing the full extent of Pickens’ ability, imagine what Brian Schottenheimer and Adams can cook up now that they do.

Moving Pickens around the formation

Here’s the thing about George Pickens and the slot: Schottenheimer recently admitted Pickens does not like staying there. Among qualifying receivers with minimum targets, Pickens ranked near dead last in the NFL in percentage of snaps spent in the slot. Even though we know he can move around, the Cowboys rarely asked him to.

I expect that to change. All signs point toward Dallas wanting to explore that scenario based on what coaches have said, based on what Pickens himself has communicated, and based on the simple reality that Pickens knows this offense far better after a full year in it. Schottenheimer praised him during the offseason program for showing up ready to go, and Pickens even participated in some team drills during mandatory minicamp.

The strategic upside here is enormous. CeeDee Lamb is a better slot receiver than Picken but modern defenses can more easily bracket a slot receiver without fully committing a safety. When your No. 1 wide receiver lines up on the outside, you pretty much need a committed safety to create anything resembling double coverage.

If the Cowboys can put Pickens in the slot on select plays, defenses face an impossible choice: bracket Pickens inside or double Lamb on the outside. Dallas gets to dictate who the defense prioritizes, and that power opens up everything.

I think this is the best wide receiver duo in the NFL. Before, you could talk about Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, Davante Adams and Puka Nacua, Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. None of them match what Pickens and Lamb can do together. That reaches another level if they can be interchangeable in the lineup. 

A legit Cowboys WR3 changes everything

Last year, Pickens and Lamb produced without a clear third option. Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson, fresh off a $52 million extension, was the logical candidate to benefit from defensive attention on the top two receivers. Ferguson is a reliable pass catcher, but his 2025 season showed a decline in explosive plays, yards after the catch, and broken tackles. He wasn’t a consistent chain-mover.

Now it’s Ryan Flournoy—who went from roster cut after the preseason to a solidified WR3 last year. He’s nowhere near Pickens or Lamb, but late in the season the Cowboys were designing plays for him in the red zone and calling his number in scoring position.

Having a legitimate No. 3 wide receiver who can worry defenses in certain situations will make both Pickens and Lamb better. Other than Prescott at quarterback, I don’t think you can point to anything on this roster that inspires more optimism about a playoff run than the wide receiver position. It was a strength in 2025, and I think we have every reason to believe Pickens, Lamb, and company will be even better in 2026.