A key factor is Pickens’ and his agent’s desire to begin contract talks at the NFL combine, which runs February 26–March 1 in Indianapolis. Calming this into a smooth process could help Dallas align Pickens with the offseason program and start Brian Schottenheimer’s second year on solid footing.
From a market value perspective, Pickens’ 2025 breakout season—93 receptions, 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns, plus a first Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro selection—bolsters his earnings potential. Spotract projects an average annual value around $30.6 million on a four-year deal (roughly $122.43 million total), a figure higher than the projected $28 million franchise tag for 2026.
For Dallas, using the one-year franchise tender could offer cap flexibility in 2026, but that route appears unlikely given Pickens’ negotiation stance. If talks begin at the combine and progress toward a long-term agreement, the Cowboys could avoid protracted offseason drama and secure a path forward that fits both cap planning and team goodwill, echoing how other key players have managed their contracts.
Dallas owners and fans will watch closely to see whether the franchise tag is exercised by the March 3 deadline or if constructive discussions at the combine pave a long-term deal that keeps Pickens in Dallas beyond 2026.
