The Dallas Cowboys got everything they could've wanted out of the George Pickens trade from the Pittsburgh Steelers.
And now it's decision time. Pickens' contract is up. He's going to be a free agent.
The Cowboys have options:
- A long-term extension
- The franchise tag
- Let him go
There has been speculation throughout the season about all three of these outcomes.
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On Monday, ESPN's Todd Archer revealed what he believes is the probable outcome.
"Based on everything I've heard, the franchise tag is the likely option here," Archer wrote.
Pickens finished the season with 93 catches for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns. Still, though, his looming Pittsburgh days hang over this decision.
"He comes with concerns due to some of the effort and concentration issues he had with the Steelers, even though those haven't shown up in Dallas," Archer writes.
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Pickens did have one week where a few of his weaker routes went viral for the effort he put into them, so it might not be totally a thing of the past.
He clearly enjoyed catching passes from Dak Prescott and teaming up with CeeDee Lamb, though.
The Cowboys could also use the franchise tag as a placeholder to try and still get a long-term deal done. Jerry Jones loves getting his best players signed to extensions, and maybe Pickens will be next.
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