What happened: George Pickens is locked into a one-year, fully guaranteed franchise tender for 2026. He plans to play the season rather than hold out.
Why it matters: The arrangement makes Pickens' 2026 performance central to his next contract. Another franchise tag would carry a higher cost in 2027.
By the numbers: Pickens' tender is worth $27.3 million. A second tag would increase that figure by 20% to approximately $32.8 million.
What to watch: Preseason work will show how targets are divided between the two receivers.