“Hey look, GP loves it here. We love GP,” the head coach said Monday at the Annual League Meeting in Phoenix. “We have plans for GP to be here for a long time. So, we’ll let the business side of this thing play out and see where it goes.”

Pickens might sit out of offseason activities while awaiting a possible long-term deal. “We’re still a couple weeks away,” Schottenheimer also said of organized team activities. “It’s gonna play out how it plays out and again, it’s all voluntary. So we’ll see where it goes.”

Pickens and the rest of the franchise-tagged players have until July 15 to negotiate with their teams. These will be key moments to draw attention for both sides as they look ahead to the upcoming NFL season.

Pickens’ big 2025 with America’s Team

After being acquired from the Pittsburgh Steelers in May 2025, George Pickens enjoyed a career-defining breakout season with the Dallas Cowboys. He quickly became a favorite target for Dak Prescott, finishing the 2025 regular season with an impressive 93 receptions for 1,429 yards and 9 touchdowns in 17 games.

His explosive playmaking ability was on full display as he averaged 15.4 yards per catch, proving to be the elite deep threat Dallas needed to complement CeeDee Lamb. This dominant performance not only led to his first Pro Bowl selection but also solidified his status as one of the premier wide receivers in the league.

Major air weapons for Prescott

Undoubtedly, Dak Prescott can feel lucky. He has one of the most effective receiving corps in the league, as proven last season, throwing for 4,552 yards and finishing 3rd in this ranking, just behind Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff.

For 2026, this is the intriguing group of players who will be on the field and available for the Cowboys’ QB:

Following a disappointing 2025 season that saw the Cowboys miss the playoffs and trade All-Pro Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers, fans are eager for a turnaround. The front office has already been active this offseason, aggressively rebuilding a defense in the free agency that was among the league’s worst last year.

By signing players like Rashan Gary (acquired via trade), Jalen Thompson, P.J. Locke, Cobie Durant, Darrion Kendrick, Tyrus Wheat, and Otito Ogbonnia, Schottenheimer believes the team has plugged enough holes to avoid a “need-based” draft.

“I think we did a really good job of setting ourselves up to be able to draft natural and draft pure, which is what you want to do,” HC Brian Schottenheimer said, via the team’s website. “You don’t want to have to be forced to reach for a player, that’s when you make mistakes.”

What are the Cowboys’ needs in the 2026 NFL Draft?

The Cowboys currently hold eight picks in the draft, including the extra first-rounder from the Packers in the Parsons trade. This draft stock is vital for a team looking to replace the production of Parsons.

While Dallas was linked to Maxx Crosby following Parsons’ exit, a deal never materialized, and Crosby remains with the Raiders after a separate trade to the Ravens collapsed.

This leaves the defensive end position as a primary focus. Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. is widely considered the premier edge rusher in this class, but with his stock rising into the top 10, it is unlikely he will be available at No. 12.

With two picks in the top 20, the Cowboys are in a prime position to secure elite talent. Although Schottenheimer has hinted at a patient approach, using these picks to land cornerstone prospects will be essential for the franchise’s post-Parsons rebuild.

The Cowboys won’t have an easy 2026

With months still to go until the 2026 NFL season, the Philadelphia Eagles remain the favorites to take the NFC East. Unfortunately for the Cowboys, they might not even be the second-best team in the division.

This offseason, the Giants signed John Harbaugh as their new head coach. He is expected to bring a massive change to New York, with fans believing the team could even steal the NFC East title this year.

According to NFL insider Adam Schefter, who shared the news on his X account, one of the first casualties of this situation is Matt Eberflus, who has been relieved of his duties. From now on, Brian Schottenheimer will need to find a new defensive coordinator for his team.

Defense proved to be the Achilles’ heel for America’s Team this season, with Dak Prescott standing out as their top performer on the field. After finishing with a 7–9–1 record, Eberflus was the first scapegoat to be fired in Arlington.

Jones has shown in recent years that he does not hesitate to make drastic decisions regarding his various staffs. Over the past four seasons, the Cowboys will now be searching for their fourth defensive coordinator, someone capable of building a true fortress for the team.

Cowboys’ defense struggled to find its footing

Throughout the 2025 season, the Dallas Cowboys’ defense transitioned from a feared unit to one of the team’s most glaring deficits. Despite having elite individual talent, the group struggled significantly with consistency and stopping the run, frequently allowing opponents to dictate the tempo of the game.

A telling statistic of this decline was that Dallas finished the regular season ranked 28th in rushing yards allowed per game, surrendering an average of 142.5 yards on the ground.

This inability to control the line of scrimmage forced the offense into shootouts and ultimately derailed its postseason aspirations. Whoever takes over from here will face a tough task ahead in improving on the team’s 2025 performance.

On the immediate horizon are the Minnesota Vikings, who will face the Cowboys in a high-stakes Sunday Night Football matchup at AT&T Stadium. The good news for Prescott and company is that CeeDee Lamb is making favorable progress from his concussion, raising hopes for his return.

Insider Jon Machota, via his X account, revealed the significant injury update provided by Schottenheimer regarding the wide receiver’s status: according to the HC, Lamb is “doing good. Progressing nicely.”

The incident involving Lamb, which forced him to leave the field, occurred just minutes into the third quarter. Up to that point, the wide receiver had recorded a total of six catches for 121 yards.

Lamb’s numbers this season in Dallas

Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb has firmly established himself as Dak Prescott‘s principal weapon in the Dallas Cowboys’ offense this season. Through the air, Lamb has been a high-volume and efficient playmaker, racking up 57 receptions for 865 yards.

While his touchdown total stands at 3, his impressive 15.2 yards per reception average underscores his ability to turn short catches into significant gains and consistently move the chains for the Cowboys.

What lies ahead for the Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys face a critical and challenging final stretch as they fight to secure their spot in the playoffs. The team will benefit from two consecutive home games at AT&T Stadium against the Minnesota Vikings and the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Cowboys will conclude their schedule with two key divisional road tests: first against the Commanders and finally, a potentially decisive finale against the Giants at MetLife Stadium. Dallas must emerge victorious in these high-stakes contests to ensure a postseason bid.

During last offseason, the arrival of George Pickens was finalized, and it was undeniably a much-needed upgrade for America’s Team. In fact, Brian Schottenheimer stated that the plan is to keep the wide receiver in the franchise for many years to come.

“Sign me up. I mean, what do you say?” Schottenheimer said Tuesday, via Schuyler Dixon of the Associated Press. “Those two guys [Pickens and CeeDee Lamb], I just love their relationship, man. I love the firepower that they give us. That’s one of those games where you never know which one it’s going to be.

“Some games it’s both of them. Some games it’s one of them, and again, like I said, I pinch myself at times. Because when you’re talking about you’re Dak [Prescott] or the play caller, like myself, you’re like, ‘OK, if we do this, which way do I throw it to? I like that matchup, but wow, that one is pretty good, too.’ That’s real. I’m very in favor of George having a long-term future with us.”

Pickens’ impact on the Cowboys’ offense

George Pickens has proven to be a sensational addition to the Dallas Cowboys offense this season, quickly establishing himself as a primary deep threat for quarterback Dak Prescott.

Through 10 games, Pickens has recorded 58 receptions for a total of 908 receiving yards, giving him a robust average of 15.7 yards per catch. He leads the team with seven receiving touchdowns, already marking his highest touchdown total in a single season.

The dynamic connection with Prescott has been on full display, notably during the recent win against the Raiders where Pickens hauled in nine catches for 144 yards and a score, solidifying his role as one of the league’s most productive wide receivers.

Will Pickens remain a Cowboy next season?

Pickens is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent after this season, but Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has stated they can afford to keep him. They have the options of signing him to a long-term contract or using the Franchise Tag to secure him for the next year.

It’s been a difficult few days for America’s Team following the passing of Marshawn Kneeland. However, Prescott chose to carry on his former teammate’s legacy within the franchise, stating that from now on they will approach every game with the same attitude Kneeland embodied.

“Obviously, coming out there tonight and playing with the style that he played with, the intensity, the effort, the finish, super proud of the guys,” the QB said via ESPN. “This doesn’t put a cap on it. We’re going to continue to move forward, shining a light on Marshawn and carrying his legacy. And we need to play like this every week moving forward. He’ll always be with us.”

The Cowboys managed to take care of business with a 33–16 final score, and in doing so, they remain determined not to lose ground on the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East.

Schottenheimer’s emotion

Emotions are running high within the Cowboys after the recent news regarding Kneeland, and one of those who spoke about it was head coach Brian Schottenheimer, who was visibly emotional following the game against the Raiders.

“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have some tears when I first put this shirt on, as you can imagine,” Schottenheimer said to the press. “But more than anything, I know Marshawn was looking down on us, and we wanted to make him proud. And I think we did that.”

Chasing the playoffs

The Dallas Cowboys are entering a critical and demanding stretch of their schedule as they fight to secure a spot in the playoffs. Their path is immediately tested by a tough sequence of three games: first, they host the divisional rival Philadelphia Eagles, followed by a high-stakes home matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs.

They conclude this difficult run with a road trip to face the Detroit Lions. To successfully make their playoff push, the Cowboys must navigate this challenging slate, which includes two Super Bowl contenders, by capitalizing on their home advantage and relying on strong performances from their core players.

For a moment, it appeared that Jonathan Gannon’s team would be led by Kyler Murray. However, it was ultimately confirmed that veteran Jacoby Brissett will get the start for the Cardinals, forcing the Cowboys to adjust their game plan accordingly.

“We’ve been preparing for Kyler, but we also had plans and knew that we could be facing Jacoby. The big thing about Jacoby is that he’s an incredible leader and a powerful passer,” the head coach stated via Nick Harris.

No matter who ultimately leads the offense for their opponent, one thing is clear: Dallas needs to secure a win at home. A victory would put the Cowboys right back in the race for the NFC East — or at least keep them in strong contention for a Wild Card spot.

Win or win

Monday Night Football against the Arizona Cardinals has quickly become a must-win for the Dallas Cowboys if they hope to remain legitimate contenders in the NFC. Currently sitting at a precarious 3-4-1 record and trailing the NFC East-leading Eagles (6-2), another loss is simply not an option.

A defeat to the 2-5 Cardinals—who are on a five-game losing streak but have kept all those losses within four points—would drop Dallas to a disastrous 3-5-1, shrinking their already low playoff probability (currently estimated around 24%).

With an unforgiving schedule looming post-bye, Dak Prescott and the offense must recapture their early-season form against a Cardinals defense that ranks in the bottom half of the league. For Dallas, this is about more than just a victory; it’s about proving they belong in the postseason conversation before the door slams shut.

When and where will the Cowboys vs. Cardinals game be played?

The Dallas Cowboys will face the Arizona Cardinals on Monday, November 3rd, for a crucial Week 9 matchup. The game will be played under the bright lights of prime time at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, kicking off at 8:15 PM ET (7:15 PM CT).

The franchise’s top decision-maker knows his team is still falling short on the defensive side of the ball this season. However, he also understands that making a change in personnel at this exact moment may not be the solution.

During a recent media session, Jones addressed Eberflus’ position as the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator, firmly stating his confidence in him. As a result, a short-term change in leadership on the defensive side appears to be off the table for now.

“I got a lot of confidence in him,” Jerry Jones said via @jonmachota. With the Week 7 matchup against the Commanders approaching, the team is expected to look for ways to strengthen its defensive unit in hopes of delivering better results.

“He’s had tremendous experience. He’s dealt with adversity. He’s had some great successes. … I jumped at it when we had the chance to get him. I still feel as strongly (about him as the day we hired him),” he also expressed on @1053thefan.

Schottenheimer’s vote of confidence

Brian Schottenheimer knows exactly what it’s like to be in Eberflus’ shoes — after all, he served as the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator just last season. The team’s current head coach remains confident that the unit’s shortcomings can be addressed in the near future.

“I’ve been Matt. I’ve been a coordinator. And I’ve been where people are calling you out and saying you don’t know how to coach and, ‘Man, this guy is the worst coach in history,'” he said via @jonmachota.

“Matt Eberflus is a damn good football coach. We have to perform better. But I’ve been him, so part of me being in (the defensive meeting room) is to help as an asset, to tell him, ‘I believe in him. I understand what he’s going through.’ It sucks. It’s no fun. We’re gonna ride this thing out. And we’ll play better. We really will.”

Bouncing back quickly after the loss

The Dallas Cowboys’ rollercoaster season hit another low with a crushing 30-27 walk-off loss to the Carolina Panthers, a defeat that squarely highlights the defense’s persistent struggles.

While the offense continues to put up points, a “last-place defense,” as some have dubbed it, failed to get the critical stop when it mattered most, allowing the Panthers to march for the game-winning field goal.

With a competitive NFC East race heating up, Dallas must swiftly correct its defensive woes—particularly its porous run defense—or risk seeing a promising season completely unravel. The time for excuses is over; it’s time to buckle down.

With Miles Sanders officially ruled out, former Texas Longhorns standout Jaydon Blue could be in line to make his debut — if head coach Brian Schottenheimer decides to give him the nod.

Ahead of what could be a major opportunity at MetLife Stadium, the explosive running back spoke to the media and expressed his excitement, stating that he’s ready for the challenge and eager to showcase his full skill set on the big stage.

“Very excited,” Blue said, via Tommy Yarrish of the team website. “I’ve waited my time. I’ve stayed patient. I always was told to trust the process, and I knew eventually if I was to stay consistent and work hard that my time would come.

“It was a part of the plan. I’m just excited that I finally get to go out there and showcase my skills.” Blue has yet to make his official debut after suffering an ankle injury during the preseason.

Ready for action

Since Jaydon Blue’s arrival in Dallas, Brian Schottenheimer had taken note of certain off-the-field behaviors that didn’t align with the Cowboys’ team philosophy. As a result, the former Longhorn had to refocus and better prepare himself in order to finally earn a shot with the first team.

“Just making sure that I’m finishing the right way and practicing hard,” Blue said. “Staying in the playbook, just making sure that I’m doing the small details right so I can be able to perform at the highest level. How I prepare is being more detailed, just the little small things. Whether that’s a play, making sure that I’m being where I was supposed to be on time, being engaged in meetings and stuff like that.”

Blue and the Dallas coaching staff held several conversations leading up to this moment, where both sides were able to reach a mutual understanding of what was expected from the young running back in order to earn his shot this Sunday.

When and where: Cowboys vs. Jets showdown

The Dallas Cowboys are set for a pivotal NFL Week 5 showdown against the New York Jets this Sunday, October 5th. The game will be played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

The defensive end has requested a trade after not receiving a contract extension, remains uncertain about his playing status due to a possible back injury, and is still considering sitting out games in the regular season. Furthermore, the star made headlines after choosing to lie on a training table during the preseason game against the Falcons, ignoring what his teammates were doing.

Given this scenario, no one knows for sure if Parsons will play in Week 1 against the Eagles, as he hasn’t participated in Cowboys practices. Now, Schottenheimer has provided a surprising update on Micah’s status heading into that blockbuster road game to face the defending Super Bowl champions.

Will Micah Parsons play for Cowboys against Eagles?

Brian Schottenheimer expressed confidence that Micah Parsons will play in Week 1, but in something he hadn’t admitted in recent weeks, the head coach warned that everything points to him playing a limited number of snaps.

“At the end of the day, as soon as he can get out there, that’s great. But, again there will be a ramp-up plan for him. When he lines up out there to play, do I think he would play 75 plays and every play? Probably not. I don’t think that that’s real, but, I do think that he can be very disruptive like we all know. Every day that he can get out there and get reps would be great, but, the best way to get better at football is to play football. So, I would say as soon as possible would be the desired effect.”

After the 2025 preseason finale against the Atlanta Falcons, Schottenheimer had to confront the elephant in the room: Micah Parsons’ situation. The head coach said he believes Parsons will play in Week 1, but the player has made it clear he would only do so if a new contract is finalized before the game against the Eagles.

It’s clear the odds are not on Schottenheimer’s side. Parsons has repeatedly said he wants either a new contract or a trade, and his attitude doesn’t indicate he’s willing to suit up for Dallas without the security of a long-term deal.

Will the Cowboys give Micah Parsons a new contract before the 2025 NFL season?

The future remains uncertain for both Parsons and the Cowboys. The pass rusher doesn’t want to risk playing without an extension, as an injury could jeopardize his career and long-term earnings.

Parsons officially requested a trade a few weeks ago, but since then the Cowboys have made no progress with his agent on a new deal—a bad sign for their hopes of having him available in Week 1.

At this point, the most logical path may be to trade him. Dallas hasn’t received any offers yet, according to reports, but several teams are said to be interested in acquiring one of the NFL’s best defensive players.

Jerry Jones has hinted that the team is working on a deal, but with the regular season less than two weeks away, the pressure is on the Cowboys—and the clock is ticking.

How much money is Micah Parsons asking for?

Parsons has made it clear he wants to become the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL. He has even said he wants around $50 million per year, a figure the Cowboys reportedly aren’t willing to meet.

This offseason, Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt both signed new contracts worth over $40 million annually. The question now is whether Dallas will make Parsons the league’s highest-paid defender—or whether he’ll have to find that contract somewhere else.