Overview
- Reporting indicates Dallas plans to open with the franchise tag as the "easiest" path to keep Pickens while pursuing a longer deal, with team voices pitching the value of playing with Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb.
- The 2026 non-exclusive tag for wide receivers is projected around $28 million, which would count fully against the cap once Pickens signs the tender.
- Key dates include the tagging window opening Feb. 17 and closing March 3, with outside negotiations possible after March 9 if the non-exclusive tag is used.
- Yahoo Sports outlines five paths for Dallas, including exclusive or non-exclusive tags, a tag-and-trade, or letting him test free agency, with a non-exclusive offer sheet potentially yielding two first-round picks if unmatched.
- Analysts project an open-market value near $30 million per year and flag Atlanta as a prominent suitor, while Marc Ross highlights prior behavior concerns as a buyer-beware factor and Pickens’ agent David Mulugheta could complicate talks.