Wide receiver George Pickens remains under contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers through the 2025 NFL season on his four-year rookie deal signed in 2022.[1][2] There has been no official announcement from the Dallas Cowboys that Pickens has signed a franchise tag for the 2026 season, nor any verified reports of a trade from the Steelers to the Cowboys.[3][4]

Pickens was selected by the Steelers in the second round, 52nd overall, of the 2022 NFL Draft out of the University of Georgia.[1][5] The 24-year-old recorded 54 receptions for 807 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games during the 2024 season.[5][6]

In 2023, Pickens had a breakout year with 63 catches for 1,140 yards and five touchdowns over 17 games.[5][6] His rookie contract carries a 2025 base salary of $1.45 million and a cap hit of $3.99 million.[2][7]

The NFL franchise tag deadline for the 2025 season passed on March 12, 2024, with no tag placed on Pickens.[8][9] Tags for the 2026 season cannot be applied until the 2026 offseason.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb signed a four-year, $136 million extension in August 2024, making him one of the NFL's highest-paid receivers.[10][11]

Sources

1. Pittsburgh Steelers, "George Pickens - Roster", accessed October 2024, https://www.steelers.com/team/players-roster/george-pickens/
2. Spotrac, "George Pickens Contract Details", accessed October 2024, https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers/george-pickens-79296/contract/
3. Dallas Cowboys, "News", accessed October 2024, https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/
4. NFL.com, "Free Agency Tracker", accessed October 2024, https://www.nfl.com/news/free-agency-tracker/
5. Pro-Football-Reference.com, "George Pickens Stats", accessed October 2024, https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PickGe00.htm
6. NFL.com, "George Pickens Player Page", accessed October 2024, https://www.nfl.com/players/george-pickens/
7. Over The Cap, "George Pickens Contract", accessed October 2024, https://overthecap.com/player/george-pickens/10031
8. NFL.com, "2024 Franchise Tag Tracker", March 11, 2024, https://www.nfl.com/news/2024-nfl-franchise-tag-tracker-deadline-march-12
9. ESPN, "NFL franchise tag deadline 2024", March 12, 2024, https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39655247/nfl-franchise-tag-deadline-2024-tracker
10. Dallas Cowboys, "Cowboys agree to terms with CeeDee Lamb", August 5, 2024, https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/cowboys-agree-to-terms-with-ceedee-lamb-on-historic-contract-extension
11. ESPN, "CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys agree to 4-year, $136M extension", August 5, 2024, https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/40724752/sources-ceedee-lamb-cowboys-agree-4-year-136m-deal