Cowboys urged to tread carefully on ‘Bad Apple’ George Pickens decision.

The Dallas Cowboys are reportedly prepared to place the franchise tag on wide receiver George Pickens this offseason, a move that would frame the rest of his free-agent market and the club’s long-term planning. The tag would come as Pickens produced a standout season with 1,429 yards, 93 catches and nine touchdowns, heightening the attention on his next contract.

CeeDee Lamb added to the narrative, publicly referring to Pickens as his “brother” and indicating he’d be happy if Pickens earned a bigger deal than Lamb did when he signed a four-year, $136 million contract in 2024. Lamb also described an active Pro Bowl week in which he felt rivals were actively trying to recruit Pickens, including former Cowboys star Micah Parsons.

Dak Prescott weighed in on Pickens’ potential move, suggesting he would “get involved” if the two sides could not land a deal, while former Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith expressed support, saying he would re-sign Pickens with a confident, “Hell, yeah.”

Adding to the sense of uncertainty, Adam Schefter reported that the Cowboys intend to use the franchise tag on Pickens this offseason, a development that, in itself, sets the stage for negotiations over the coming months. The tag would give Dallas until July to work out a longer-term agreement or proceed with the one-year framework.

Albert Breer of SI.com offered a cautionary perspective, noting Pickens’ Pittsburgh reputation as a concern. Breer argued that while a one-year, $29 million franchise tag is acceptable, paying a four-year, $122 million-plus deal—or more—carries substantial risk given Pickens’ three-year stint in Pittsburgh, where he earned a reputation for questionable work ethic and team fit.

Breer also highlighted the practical limits of the Cowboys’ options once the tag takes hold. If Pickens is tagged, Dallas would have only a limited window to negotiate, potentially pushing the wide receiver toward holdout, trade possibilities, or strained chemistry—outcomes that could complicate the team’s 2024-25 plans.

Ultimately, Dallas faces a delicate balance: respect Pickens’ on-field impact and potential market value while weighing long-term fit, cost, and history. The franchise-tag route preserves leverage in the near term but leaves significant questions about whether a sustainable long-term deal can be reached without repeating past concerns. This is a developing offseason storyline that will shape both Pickens’ career trajectory and the Cowboys’ cap strategy.