Whether on the 1-year tender or a long-term contract, it appears likely wide receiver George Pickens will be back with the Dallas Cowboys next season. If the wideout’s social media is an indication of anything, Pickens will be just fine with that.
The second-team All-Pro receiver shared a video from an apparent trip to St. Maarten. Pickens expressed the laid back attitude he’s often talked about with himself at the start of the clip, saying, “Just living life, man. God bless, America.”
The wideout then seemed to fire a more direct message on his career and potential playing status.
“Definitely, Year 5 gonna be another movie.”
In Year 4, which was his first with the Cowboys, Pickens set new career highs. The wideout registered 93 catches, 1,429 receiving yards and nine touchdowns.
The Cowboys acquired Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers for a 2026 third-round pick last May. The two teams also exchanged 2027 Day 3 selections.
This offseason, the Cowboys placed the franchise tag on Pickens. The receiver, though, is looking for a long-term deal.
George Pickens Ready to Play on Franchise Tag?
GettyFormer Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens delivered a strong offseason message in an Instagram video this week.
NFL media and fans often read too far into social media posts from players. We run the risk of doing that again with Pickens’s latest Instagram video.
One takeaway from the video, though, is Pickens is prepared to play on the franchise tag this fall.
That’s notable since Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer told reporters at the NFL annual league meetings that the team had no assurances the receiver would attend offseason workouts.
Now, just because Pickens is ready to make “another movie” out of the 2026 campaign doesn’t mean he will be at April voluntary workouts. But the video pretty clearly isn’t a bad sign.
Based on the drama Pickens created in Pittsburgh, Steelers fans are likely expecting the worst from receiver through his contract negotiations. That’s because the wideout showcased a lot of immaturity in three seasons with the Steelers.
Pickens did everything from showing up late to games, engaging in weird media scuffles with local reporters to fraternizing with Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.
In Dallas, though, Pickens appears to have found a home. That is, if he lands a long-term contract.
Former Steelers WR Not Getting Traded Before 2026 NFL Season?
GettyThe Dallas Cowboys placed the franchise tag on wide receiver George Pickens this offseason.
Pickens might not have much of a choice on whether or not to play on the franchise tag this fall. That’s because Cowboys’ Stephen Jones told reporters there isn’t a trade market for the wideout.
If Pickens doesn’t want to play on the franchise tag in 2026, his best alternative is a trade. He could also threaten to hold out into the regular season, but that’s often counterproductive, as former Steelers star Le’Veon Bell learned in 2018.
Such a move could cost Pickens millions in fines and hurt his career in the long run.
It will be interesting, though, to hear if there are any other trade rumblings around Pickens this spring. Typically, teams hype a player’s market on the trade block, but in this case, the Cowboys would actually be wise to suppress it.
If Pickens finds other suitors willing to offer him a long-term deal, it will hurt the Cowboys at the negotiating table.
Ex-Steelers WR George Pickens Puts NFL on Notice Amid Cowboys Contract Standoff