George Pickens’ inconsistent tenure in Pittsburgh continues to hang-out him

After being acquired through commerce from the Pittsburgh Steelers final 12 months, George Pickens proved to be top-of-the-line huge receivers in all the league, catching 93 passes for 1,429 yards and 9 touchdowns. His dominance in 2025 made him a first-time Professional Bowl participant within the ultimate 12 months of his rookie contract, however nonetheless it wasn’t sufficient to earn a long-term contract, not less than not but.

As everyone knows now, Pickens will play out all the 2026 season below the $27.3 million franchise tag, with an opportunity to hit the open market once more subsequent 12 months. What his future past this season is will proceed to be a high headline all year long. However so far as issues stand proper now, enjoying on the franchise tag this 12 months is seen as a win-win scenario, not less than based on Jerry Jones.

“This is great from our view,” Jones advised Yahoo Sports activities. For him as nicely, it lets him actually lengthen what he’s obtained going proper now in mild of the truth that… once we obtained him, we obtained him for no different cause than as a result of there was a long-term query. By way of subsequent 12 months and this 12 months, he’ll reply all these questions.”

“We expect more earlier,” Jones stated. “He will expect more. That he not only build on where he got to last year, the preparation will be out there happening as a major part in any series or any game. So I think from the get-go, he will have more to give in the plans on what we’re doing early and late in the season.”

Sadly, it appears as if Pickens’ time with the Pittsburgh Steelers continues to hang-out him. Attributable to disciplinary points, on-field incidents, and workforce frustrations Pickens’ inconsistent tenure in Pittsburgh in the end led him being traded to the Cowboys. And whereas he distanced himself for probably the most half from these “red flags” in Dallas final 12 months, it’s a persona he can’t appear to shake altogether.

Groups across the league, in addition to the Cowboys based on Jerry Jones, might be carefully monitoring Pickens all through the 2026 season, each on and off the sphere. Each little factor he does and doesn’t do might be closely scrutinized. Due to that, it’s in his greatest curiosity to be at his greatest if he desires to earn a long-term extension at season’s finish.

In his second season with the Cowboys in Brian Schottenheimer’s system and enjoying with QB Dak Prescott, there’s a very good likelihood for Pickens to raise his sport to a good increased degree. If he as soon as once more proves to be top-of-the-line WRs within the league in 2026 and does so with none on or off the sphere points, groups might line as much as provide him the long-term contract he’s on the lookout for.

It’s going to be actually attention-grabbing to see how Pickens’ 2026 season performs out and the way the Cowboys view his potential future in Dallas. If he reveals the consistency they’re on the lookout for, a long-term contract is a chance or utilizing the franchise tag as soon as once more subsequent 12 months is an choice as nicely. That is an entertaining scenario that ought to proceed to make headlines till one thing is in the end determined a method or one other.

What’s your name? Will Pickens be in Dallas past 2026?