George Pickens to play season on franchise tag, will not hold out

DENVER, COLORADO - OCTOBER 26: George Pickens #3 of the Dallas Cowboys off the field for halftime during the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on October 26, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

There will be no holdout for the Dallas Cowboys and wide receiver George Pickens. Pickens said it himself on Tuesday.

The Cowboys began their mandatory minicamp, and given that it’s mandatory, many wondered whether or not Pickens would show up. This was, of course, because the Cowboys placed the franchise tag on Pickens at the beginning of the offseason. But Pickens signed the tag well before Tuesday which let plenty of air out of the drama balloon.

When he spoke after the day’s festivities, he let out what little air remained by pledging to play this season on the tag he signed and stating that he will not be holding out.

George Pickens told us at the podium he’s NOT holding out this season.

I asked him again in the locker room if he plans on playing this season and he made it very clear he is.

Pickens says the team and the city are his motivations and winning a SB.

As for being late to…

— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) June 16, 2026

Recent contract situations have been contentious for the Cowboys to say the least. Things did not go well with CeeDee Lamb or Dak Prescott (any time), and they turned so sour with Micah Parsons that the Cowboys ultimately wound up trading him to the Green Bay Packers a week before last season began.

The Pickens situation looks different though as it appears that he has decided that playing the long game as opposed to the short is the best overall option. Can you believe there is no drama around this team? What in the world!