All the details on franchise tagging and George Pickens.
The franchise tag is not desirable for players — despite being fully guaranteed — because there is no long-term security.
Teams say they use it as a stepping-stone to a long-term agreement, although that does not always happen. And since the tag is guaranteed, the entire $28 million will count against the Cowboys’ cap, which chews up a lot of space for a team with numerous needs. A long-term deal would eat up considerably less.
As the tag beckons, here are some frequently asked questions related to the Cowboys and Pickens:
What happens after Pickens is tagged by Dallas?
If Pickens signs the tender right away, he is guaranteed to make at least $28 million in 2026. But it is not likely he signs the tender immediately and gives up even his tiny bit of leverage on a long-term deal. The Cowboys have used the NFL scouting combine as the jumping-off point in most negotiations, so they will likely meet with Pickens’ agents, Trevon Smith and David Mulugheta, on Jones’ luxury bus in Indianapolis.
The deadline that matters, however, is July 15. Without a long-term agreement by then, Pickens would have to play on the tag in 2026. As has become customary with the Cowboys, this could go to the wire if they get down the road at all.
Almost all Cowboys fans want Jadeveon Clowney back.
What He Did in 2025
What he did was, well, find the aforementioned groove, and in a big way. Before the season was all said-and-done, Clowney was the best pass rusher in the building, and not simply because others struggled mightily to consistently get to the opposing quarterback. Clowney had a very good season by any contextual measurement, and in multiple categories.
The 32-year-old notched a team-high in sacks (8.5), also this second-highest tally in the past four seasons, along with four pass break ups, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and 41 combined tackles that include 10 quarterback hits; and he did it all with only six (!!) starts in 13 games. Imagine if he’d been unleashed sooner by now-fired defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus.
Why He Could Stay
To put it plainly, re-read the previous sentence. Clowney continuously made it clear he’d be interested in re-signing with the Cowboys due to the brotherhood in the locker room, one he says is unlike any he’s been a p