Cowboys' Jerry Jones comfortable with George Pickens playing under franchise tag: 'We have long-term plans' for him

PHOENIX — Nearly a month after the Cowboys placed their franchise tag on wide receiver George Pickens, team owner Jerry Jones remains comfortable with Pickens playing 2026 under the tag.

The two sides have until July 15 to reach a deal. But multiple team sources told Yahoo Sports they believe Pickens playing 2026 on the franchise tag is best for both sides.

Advertisement

Draft your Yahoo Fantasy Baseball team for the 2026 MLB Season

The Cowboys are not looking to move on from Pickens next season. But they want a larger sample size of his on-field production and off-field professionalism before compensating him at a position with a high-end market that has surpassed $40 million per year.

“Make no mistake about it,” Jones said Tuesday from the league’s annual meeting, “we have long-term plans for Pickens.”

The Cowboys know there’s a real possibility Pickens will not report to offseason activities, and perhaps even training camp, without a multiyear deal. But Jones says he draws confidence from Pickens’ offseason work with quarterback Dak Prescott and that disagreement on tags is “normal.”

Advertisement

Jerry Jones ‘doesn’t anticipate’ Cowboys being in on future Maxx Crosby trade

The Cowboys are still looking to improve their defense. One possible avenue may be a trade for star Las Vegas Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby, who was nearly traded to the Baltimore Ravens this offseason but is still a Raider after Baltimore pulled out of the trade over reported concerns over his knee.

Could the Cowboys be in on a potential Crosby trade later this year?

“I don’t anticipate, standing here right now, revisiting that. I don’t anticipate it,” Jones said, while leaving the door cracked. “Is it possible? Yes.”