George Pickens is preparing to move to a new NFL home.
Wednesday, the Cowboys motioned to acquire Pickens from the Steelers, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The deal sends Pickens and a 2027 sixth-round pick to Dallas with a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick being sent to Pittsburgh.
In parting ways with future draft capital to acquire the 24-year-old Pickens, Dallas is investing in its receiving corps for the present and future, though Pickens’ impending free agency looms large as the 2025 season approaches.
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Here is more on Pickens entering a contract year and what the Cowboys’ move to acquire him means for their salary cap situation now and moving forward.
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George Pickens trade
Cowboys receive
- WR George Pickens
- 2027 sixth-round pick
Steelers receive
- 2026 third-round pick
- 2027 fifth-round pick
George Pickens contract
Pickens, a 2022 draft pick, is entering the final year of his four-year rookie-scale contract. He will earn $3.7 million in the 2025 season before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2026, barring an extension with Dallas.
| Season | Salary | Age |
| 2025 | $3,656,000 | 24 |
| 2026 | Unrestricted Free Agent | 25 |
As Schefter noted, Pickens is represented by David Mulugheta, who also represents Cowboys star LB Micah Parsons, who is also in line for a new deal. Pickens will likely be third on the list of contract priorities behind Parsons and offensive guard Tyler Smith.
Contract figures via Spotrac.
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Cowboys salary cap space
| Season | Total cap | Cap space |
| 2025 | $311,617,121 | $-4,629,590 |
Pickens’ rookie deal brings the Cowboys’ cap total to $311.6 million ahead of the 2025 season, per Spotrac. That is the fourth-highest total cap in the NFL, based on allocations.
With that figure in mind, Dallas is $4.6 million over the cap, meaning some savvy moves and tough decisions could be on the horizon.
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