Which franchise tag for Pickens? Exclusive vs non-exclusive

Hawkeye0202

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Werder and Mosher debated this on X.....
I can honestly see both sides but exclusive stop other teams from setting the terms of your player's contract IF you wanna keep him. It's why it's usually reserved for QBs or special elite players that teams have no intention of losing.









https://www.si.com/nfl/2026-nfl-franchise-tag-explainer-details-contract-amounts-potential-targets

Franchise tag details​

The franchise tag is more common than the transition tag, but here’s how each one works:

Transition tag: If applied to a player, he gets the higher figure between either 120% of his previous salary or the average of the top 10 cap hits at his position over the previous five years. The player can negotiate with other teams during free agency and if he receives an offer sheet, his current team can match. If the team doesn’t match, the player leaves for the contract offered and the original team doesn’t get compensation.

Franchise tag: There are the exclusive and nonexclusive franchise tag options. On the exclusive tag, a player can’t negotiate with other teams. However, they also get paid more, either the average of the top five cap hits from the 2025 campaign at the player’s position or 120% of their previous salary. The nonexclusive tag permits a player to negotiate with every other team. If the player signs an offer sheet, his original team can match and retain him on that deal. If that team elects not to match, it receives two first-round picks from the acquiring team. Furthermore, the nonexclusive tag pays the player the average of the top five cap hits over the past five seasons at the player’s position or 120% of their prior salary, whichever is more lucrative.
 
I agree with Werder. Another team could put some kind of poison pill in the contract that the Cowboys couldn't or wouldn't want to match.

Considering the history with big contracts, the Cowboys should just franchise tag Pickens. It will be a big enough challenge to get it done and signed by the season opener.
 
I agree with Werder. Another team could put some kind of poison pill in the contract that the Cowboys couldn't or wouldn't want to match.

Considering the history with big contracts, the Cowboys should just franchise tag Pickens. It will be a big enough challenge to get it done and signed by the season opener.
Id do the non-exclusive.

In the unlikely event another team makes an offer we are compensated handsomely.

If no offers come in it serves to at least stabilize his market value.
 
I think it depends on how close the Cowboys think they really are to winning the NFC and competing for a ring. If they think they are right there (after a lot of positive changes to the current roster via draft and free agency), then use the exclusive tag. But if they are in a re-build, I'd use the non-exclusive tag, hoping someone would take him and give us the (2) first-round picks.

I don't think anyone here believes we are that close to being in the Super Bowl in 2026. I could be wrong, and always hope we do make it, but it is what it is.
 
Wasnt there a case, 5-10 yrs ago. A team used the non-exclusive tag. A team negotiating put a "poison pill" in their proposed contract that really nailed the other team....
Tyrick hill deal???
 
Tagging athletes can sometimes backfire, I really wish we could entice Kansas City into giving up their second and third for Pickens. I'm sure Mahomes would love to have him, bring in a wide-out to replace Pickens and use the extra ammo on a defensive draft.
 
Werder and Mosher debated this on X.....
I can honestly see both sides but exclusive stop other teams from setting the terms of your player's contract IF you wanna keep him. It's why it's usually reserved for QBs or special elite players that teams have no intention of losing.









https://www.si.com/nfl/2026-nfl-franchise-tag-explainer-details-contract-amounts-potential-targets

Franchise tag details​

The franchise tag is more common than the transition tag, but here’s how each one works:

Transition tag: If applied to a player, he gets the higher figure between either 120% of his previous salary or the average of the top 10 cap hits at his position over the previous five years. The player can negotiate with other teams during free agency and if he receives an offer sheet, his current team can match. If the team doesn’t match, the player leaves for the contract offered and the original team doesn’t get compensation.

Franchise tag: There are the exclusive and nonexclusive franchise tag options. On the exclusive tag, a player can’t negotiate with other teams. However, they also get paid more, either the average of the top five cap hits from the 2025 campaign at the player’s position or 120% of their previous salary. The nonexclusive tag permits a player to negotiate with every other team. If the player signs an offer sheet, his original team can match and retain him on that deal. If that team elects not to match, it receives two first-round picks from the acquiring team. Furthermore, the nonexclusive tag pays the player the average of the top five cap hits over the past five seasons at the player’s position or 120% of their prior salary, whichever is more lucrative.

Definitely agree with Ed Werder. Cowboys need to put the Exclusive Franchise Tag on George Pickens, thus securing him top 5 average WR pay AND keep from other teams trying to steal him while the Cowboys get this new big contract deal finalized. George Pickens wants to stay in Dallas. The Cowboys want to keep him. Let's get it done ASAP.
 
Tagging athletes can sometimes backfire, I really wish we could entice Kansas City into giving up their second and third for Pickens. I'm sure Mahomes would love to have him, bring in a wide-out to replace Pickens and use the extra ammo on a defensive draft.
Send him to KC? While they are my 2nd favorite team that’s a horrible idea. Give Pat someone like Pickens and they are SB bound for sure.
 
He says he will be. Unlike most players he got the surgery the day after the injury.
OK. I haven't heard or seen anything about him. Or even Micah and his recovery. Then again I have rarely watched anything football on NFLN or ESPN since the end of the regular season. Just watched the playoffs and SB.
 
Tagging athletes can sometimes backfire, I really wish we could entice Kansas City into giving up their second and third for Pickens. I'm sure Mahomes would love to have him, bring in a wide-out to replace Pickens and use the extra ammo on a defensive draft.
post of the morning
 
I agree with Werder. Another team could put some kind of poison pill in the contract that the Cowboys couldn't or wouldn't want to match.

Considering the history with big contracts, the Cowboys should just franchise tag Pickens. It will be a big enough challenge to get it done and signed by the season opener.
Those aren’t allowed any longer.
 
OK. I haven't heard or seen anything about him. Or even Micah and his recovery. Then again I have rarely watched anything football on NFLN or ESPN since the end of the regular season. Just watched the playoffs and SB.
post of the morning 2.0 :thumbdown:
 

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