(Photo credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told the team's website that Dallas wants to keep George Pickens for 'a long time,' and will take a step toward that by placing the franchise tag on the Pro Bowl wide receiver, ESPN reported on Saturday.

Per the report, the fully guaranteed tag -- which can be applied from Feb. 17 to March 3 -- will cost the Cowboys approximately $28 million.

By placing the tag on Pickens, Dallas would limit his free agent options and up the odds that he would stay put following a 93-catch, nine-touchdown and 1,429-yard campaign -- all career-high numbers. Pickens also collected his first Pro Bowl nod and earned second-team all-NFL honors per the Associated Press.

'I'm talking to George all the time by virtue of my excitement for him,' Jones told the team website this week. 'He's better than, as far as what he contributed to our team, showing the potential that he could contribute. I'm looking forward to getting things worked out so George can be a Cowboy a long time.'

Pickens, who turns 25 on March 4, is among 15 unrestricted free agents for the Cowboys -- a group that includes defensive end Jadeveon Clowney and running back Javonte Williams.

Count quarterback Dak Prescott among those in Cowboys camp who want to see the former Georgia star receiver return this fall.

'I think it must be done,' Prescott said at this week's Pro Bowl Games. 'I think obviously from Jerry to everybody down understands that. The impact on this offense and the team and the great player that he is, we've got to find a way to keep him here.'

In four NFL seasons, including the first three with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who selected him in the second round of the 2022 draft, Pickens has produced 267 receptions, 21 touchdowns and 4,270 receiving yards in 65 games (55 starts).

--Field Level Media