Jerry Jones Sends Strong Message to George Pickens After Franchise Tag Decision

George Pickens, Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb were among the biggest stars for Jerry Jones’ Dallas Cowboys during the 2025 NFL season

by Shubham Bajpai

Sep 8, 2026

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones

Kirby Lee-IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys have three of the most prized offensive talents in Dak Prescott, George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb. The trio didn’t hurt its reputation in any way with their numbers during the 2025 NFL season. Prescott threw for 4,552 yards and 30 touchdowns. Pickens and Lamb proved to be Prescott’s most lethal weapons, as the two wide receivers recorded 1,429 and 1,077 receiving yards, respectively.

Prescott, Pickens and Lamb helped the Cowboys score 471 points, the seventh-highest total in the NFL. Their production helped the Cowboys remain competitive in several games, despite the defense allowing 30 or more points in nine games. The defensive collapse was so big that the Cowboys failed to make the playoffs for the second consecutive season despite impressive offensive stats.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) and owner Jerry Jones (right) before a game against the San Francisco 49ers

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

The Cowboys enter the 2026 NFL season with Prescott and Lamb’s future secured through 2028. However, Pickens will play the entire season on the $27.3 million franchise tag, which he signed on April 29, 2026. This means Jones and the Cowboys can’t negotiate a multiyear contract extension with Pickens during the 2026 season, as the July 15 deadline has passed.

Two of the biggest reasons behind the Cowboys’ decision to place the franchise tag on Pickens were to avoid a huge financial risk after just one season and also to buy evaluation time without letting him go into free agency uncompensated. Jones already has Prescott and Lamb on lucrative contracts. Therefore, he would want to be sure before making such a huge call.

Jones has sent a clear message to Pickens about his future with the Cowboys before the 2026 NFL season. The Cowboys owner said, “I’m excited [for] what he’s got a chance to do for us this year and coming years. And I emphasize that, in coming years.”

“The better he plays, the better it is for him,” Jones added.

The ball is now in Pickens’ court as he looks to build on his 2025 NFL campaign and potentially chase a long-term extension with the Cowboys after the 2026 season.