Dallas is taking a risk by allowing Pickens to take the field on a one-year deal. If the wide receiver puts up another productive season, the value of his next contract will be much higher. Apparently, Jones is fine with that scenario and even admitted as much.

“He can come out here and have the year that he’s talented enough and mentally prepared to have, and that contract would be a lot bigger than it would’ve been,” Jones said Friday on Up & Adams. Wide receivers have been securing massive paydays in recent years, and Dallas has an in-house example after giving CeeDee Lamb $136 million over four years.

Prescott recognizes Pickens’ talent

Even without playoff success, Prescott has played great football in the regular season throughout his career. To maintain that momentum in the coming years, he has publicly urged Jones to lock up Pickens on a long-term deal.

Also speaking on Up & Adams with Kay Adams, Prescott championed his star target: “You know George, you know he loves football. And at the end of the day, it’s not for the money. However, he should get every dollar that he deserves because he’s a hell of a player, and we should probably give it to him sooner than later because it’s only gonna go up.”

To achieve success, the Cowboys will need to maintain their historical dominance within the division, a feat Prescott has masterfully accomplished throughout his career, though he will also need Pickens’ support.

Over his 10 seasons under center, the veteran signal-caller boasts an incredible NFC East record: going 10-5 against the Philadelphia Eagles, 13-2 against the Washington Commanders, and a staggering 14-3 against the New York Giants.

Pickens’ path to arlington

Pickens originally arrived in Arlington via a trade from the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick (while Dallas also netted a 2027 sixth-round pick).

He immediately put together a career-best 2025 campaign, hauling in 93 receptions for 1,429 yards and 9 touchdowns. Despite those elite numbers, the front office opted to place him on the $27.3 million franchise tag for the 2026 NFL season.

The Cowboys have three preseason games coming up against the Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals, and New Orleans Saints before opening the 2026 regular season in a Sunday Night Football clash against the rival New York Giants on Sept. 13.

Jones recently spoke about the outcome of the Parsons trade during training camp in Oxnard, California. It has been nearly one year since the deal was completed, a move that shocked many fans at the time. Still, Jones expressed satisfaction and told reporters he has no regrets about letting Parsons leave.

According to ESPN’s Todd Archer, Jones said: “Even though Micah is an outstanding talent [that] anybody would like to have, the bottom line is that I like what the result of the trade has ended up as I stand here today. You could say those picks got us key players, but the main thing that the Herschel Walker trade did, it caused me to be more aggressive and caused us to, if you will, take more risk because we had more picks.”

A risk they had to take

According to Jones, it was a necessary risk to continue growing for the future, especially given the picks they now hold and the options those assets provide. He added that it eventually allowed them to take more risks and improve the team.

“So, in a way, this actually created a mental part to us and to my role in it with me, to step out and make the moves and take, if you will, risks that are involved to be where we are today, with a complete makeover of the defense,” Jones said. Indeed, the Cowboys used Parsons’ departure to strengthen their roster in different areas.

Jones has already capitalized on Parsons trade

The Cowboys traded Parsons on Aug. 28, 2025, to the Packers in exchange for defensive tackle Kenny Clark and first-round draft picks in 2026 and 2027. These picks were subsequently used to acquire All-Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams from the New York Jets and select defensive end Malachi Lawrence in the draft.

The trade also allowed them to generate significant salary cap flexibility, which proved very useful. It was key to signing safety Jalen Thompson, acquiring pass rusher Rashan Gary, and giving Williams his recent three-year contract extension.

“I’m sure we can make a way,” Lamb said via Yahoo Sports. “I know it’s going to be a little crazy, but I know we can make a way for this one. “Listen, this is my advocation, @ Jerry, can you please figure out a way? Let’s figure it out. I don’t care what needs to happen. Let’s figure it out and it’s going to get you a couple more championships.”

Many times, people believe that having several stars on a roster could hurt the chemistry inside the locker room. Lamb, an experienced player, prefers to put individual ego aside in order to strengthen the team as a whole.

“I don’t have no ego here, I want to win,” the experienced wide receiver said. “I don’t understand the narrative or X, Y, Z, but it is what it is.” Will Jones finally satisfy Lamb’s desire to continue playing alongside Pickens for a longer time with the Cowboys?

What is Pickens’ contract situation?

George Pickens enters the 2026 season playing under a fully guaranteed, one-year $27.3 million franchise tag after the Dallas Cowboys and his representation failed to reach a multi-year extension prior to the July 15 deadline. Under league rules, contract negotiations cannot resume until after Dallas concludes its regular season in January 2027.

Coming off a career-best 2025 campaign where he tallied 93 receptions for 1,429 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns alongside CeeDee Lamb, Pickens can secure a lucrative long-term future in Dallas by maintaining elite WR1/WR2 productivity while continuing to display total maturity within Brian Schottenheimer’s team.

If he sustains this level of play without off-field distractions in 2026, he will either force Dallas to hand him a top-tier multi-year deal in 2027 or potentially utilize a second franchise tag estimated at $32.8 million.

Lamb is having a strong training camp

The Cowboys’ 2026 training camp is producing good results, especially on offense. Lamb is building a strong connection with Dak Prescott, something that has fans excited ahead of their Week 1 debut against the New York Giants.

“It’s demoralizing for the defense,” he said. “They were mad, hyped and all that. You know how defensive guys be. But as for us man, we just got to connect, fight through the fire and air it out.”

“Oh, I kind of always had it [in me], honestly,” Pickens said of the Mamba Mentality, via the team’s official website. “When you hear me say that it doesn’t matter what happens on the field or what happens on — I just want to do my best. When I say sentences like that, it’s the mentality that I have. So just one day at a time, and keep getting better every day.”

The pressure on the Dallas Cowboys and Dak Prescott to reach the Super Bowl is high. Can they finally achieve Jerry Jones’ and the entire franchise’s ultimate goal this NFL season?

Pickens’ 2025 numbers

In his debut season with Cowboys, George Pickens established himself as a premier perimeter threat, hauling in 93 receptions for 1,429 receiving yards and nine touchdowns across 17 regular-season games. Averaging 15.4 yards per catch, Pickens instantly solidified his role as Dak Prescott‘s primary big-play target, culminating in the first Pro Bowl selection of his career.

Heading into 2026, and after receiving the franchise tag worth a fully guaranteed $27.3 million, Pickens will once again be Brian Schottenheimer’s primary weapon in the receiving corps.

Embracing Kobe’s mentality

Kobe Bryant‘s “Mamba Mentality” represents a relentless, uncompromising pursuit of excellence grounded in extreme discipline, preparation, and resilience. It is less about winning individual titles and more about the daily process of constantly striving to outwork your past self and push through physical and mental limits.

This obsessive drive transcended basketball, deeply inspiring world-class athletes across various sports—from tennis stars like Novak Djokovic and Naomi Osaka to soccer icons like Cristiano Ronaldo—who adopted his uncompromising work ethic and legendary clutch mindset as their blueprint for greatness.

Pickens feels comfortable in Dallas

Pickens will remain in Dallas for at least one more year, but beyond that, his future could take another turn. That said, the environment the wide receiver experiences with America’s Team could be a determining factor in his decision to stay.

“I’d probably just say the type of coaches and the people around. When it’s a different vibe and environment, then that’s mostly what you’re seeing out of me now. Just, definitely more light-hearted people,” he said during the press conference.

Per Jordan Raanan of ESPN, “barring a setback, it seems Malik Nabers (knee) is trending towards being ready Week 1 for the Dallas Cowboys.” Much has been said about the Giants weapons, but one constant has remained, Nabers is undoubtedly the WR1 for Jaxson Dart.

Tight end Isaiah Likely has established himself as Dart’s safety net. Still, Nabers is the one that takes this offense to a whole new level. Also, rookie Malachi Fields has shown the Giants he should be the WR2 of the team, but still Nabers clears as the first option.

Malik Nabers is a difference-maker

Last season, Nabers played just four games. He was averaging 15.1 yards per reception, and scored twice on a lackluster offense. At that point Dart hadn’t claimed his spot as the QB1 of the team.

In his rookie year, Nabers was a Pro-Bowler with over 100 receptions and seven touchdowns in 1204 yards. He could be a top 10-15 WR in the NFL, and that’s not easy to come by. Jaxson Dart must be thrilled to finally play with him.

Nabers will have to go toe-to-toe with the Cowboys WRs

Nabers is borderline elite when fully healthy, but the Cowboys have arguably the best WR duo in the NFL. George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb are incredibly talented. Hence, if the Giants want to stay in the game, Nabers must have an outstanding game to keep up the pace.

“That’s exactly why, if you’re me, you would be open to that is because of the man. I have all the respect in the world for him, and I know what he did for the Mavericks and what he’s done for basketball,” Jones said to Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News.

“You want to associate with the highest quality of [a person] who loves the game and then also at the same time wants to do something about it. Mark leads the way in that.”

Will Jones sell the Cowboys anytime soon? That remains uncertain. The only clear thing is that Mark Cuban, with his extensive experience in the sports world, could be the perfect candidate to take over.

Mark Cuban’s era with the Mavericks

Mark Cuban’s transformative era as owner of the Dallas Mavericks began in January 2000, when he purchased the majority stake in the struggling franchise for $285 million. Under his passionate leadership and player-first investment, the Mavericks emerged as a perennial contender, highlighted by winning two Western Conference titles (2006 and 2011) and the franchise’s sole NBA Championship in 2011.

In late December 2023, Cuban sold his controlling majority stake to the Adelson and Dumont families at a valuation of approximately $3.5 billion. Today, he serves as a minority owner (retaining around 27% equity) while maintaining oversight of the team’s basketball operations.

The Dallas Cowboys’ valuation

According to Forbes, the Dallas Cowboys are valued at a record-setting $13 billion, solidifying their position as the most valuable sports franchise in the world for the 19th consecutive year. This valuation represents a 29% increase from their previous $10.1 billion mark, making them the first team in sports history to cross the $13 billion threshold.

Driven by an estimated $1.234 billion in annual revenue and an operating income of $629 million, Jerry Jones’ franchise continues to lead global sports business by a wide margin.

According to Jon Machota, offensive lineman Tyler Guyton revealed that Prescott has started referring to the Cowboys’ offense as GOTI, which stands for “The Greatest Offense There Is.”

The nickname quickly generated discussion across the NFL, with many questioning whether Prescott is showing confidence, or simply getting ahead of himself before the season starts.

Dak Prescott explains why he created GOTI

After the nickname became public, Nick Harris shared Dak Prescott’s explanation behind the idea. The Cowboys quarterback said: “We were close to some historic things last year. And when you have the guys on the offense, why can’t we be? Let’s be the Greatest Offense There Is. You’ve heard of the Greatest Show On Turf and all of the other nicknames. We take pride in it, and it’s the way we’ve been practicing.”

Prescott clearly believes the Cowboys have the talent to become one of the league’s most explosive offenses and wants his teammates to embrace that mentality heading into the season.

Can the Cowboys really become the NFL’s best offense?

The Dallas Cowboys certainly have the personnel to support Prescott’s confidence. They enter 2026 with an impressive group led by CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, and Jake Ferguson, while Javonte Williams provides stability to a running game that proved reliable throughout the 2025 season.

Still, the competition around the NFL is fierce. Teams like the Los Angeles Rams, featuring Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua, and Davante Adams, as well as the Cincinnati Bengals, led by Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins, also have offenses capable of claiming that title.

Whether GOTI becomes reality or simply another memorable preseason slogan will ultimately be decided once the regular season begins. However, Dak Prescott isn’t afraid.

No player carries more of that responsibility than quarterback Dak Prescott. The franchise signal-caller has heard every criticism throughout his career, but entering his 11th NFL season, he isn’t backing away from the expectations. In fact, he welcomes them.

The conversation intensified after Prescott arrived at Cowboys training camp wearing a Super Bowl XXX T-shirt, which many interpreted as a message to his teammates. Rather than dismissing the speculation, Prescott admitted the shirt reflected exactly what is on his mind: bringing another championship back to Dallas.

Dak Prescott embraces Super Bowl expectations

Asked about the pressure surrounding the Cowboys ahead of the 2026 NFL season, Dak Prescott made it clear that he has no intention of lowering expectations.

“We want stuff in life a lot of times, but then when people start talking about it, you kind of hesitate. ‘Should I say that if they’re going to hold me to it?’ Absolutely. Playing in this organization, being in it 10 years, going into year 11, I’m not going to shy away from it. When you don’t have it, it sucks when you don’t get to play for it. When you’re watching other teams play in the playoffs, there’s nothing worse than that. And so, yeah, I said I’d be the quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys when I was 6 years old and said I’d be in the NFL, and I got here.”

Prescott isn’t afraid of “Super Bowl or bust”

The veteran quarterback also explained why he has no problem being judged by championship standards. “A lot of things in my life, I said I’d do and I did it. So, why shy away from that now? Why shy away from asking people to hold me to the same standard that I believe that I can accomplish and this team can accomplish?”

For Prescott, wearing the Super Bowl XXX shirt wasn’t simply about honoring the Cowboys’ past. It was a reminder of the standard they’re chasing and the responsibility he accepts as the team’s leader.

With stars such as CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, and one of the NFL’s most explosive offenses around him, Prescott believes the Cowboys have everything necessary to end the franchise’s championship drought. Now, the challenge is proving it on the field.

One of the biggest positive developments came before camp even opened, when the Giants decided not to place Nabers on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. That decision immediately suggested the organization believed he was close enough to recovery to participate in football activities, even if on a limited basis.

Since then, Nabers has been seen working on the practice field, fueling optimism that he could be ready sooner than expected. Still, with the regular season approaching, the biggest question remains whether he will be available for the Giants’ Week 1 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.

Will Malik Nabers be ready for Week 1?

Asked directly whether he expects to play against Dallas in the season opener, Malik Nabers declined to make any guarantees. Instead, he emphasized that his focus remains on taking his recovery one day at a time. “There’s no target date. Just stacking days and I’ll continue to let everybody know how I feel and when I’m able to get back out there.”

Why Malik Nabers’ return is so important

The Giants are entering a new era under head coach John Harbaugh, with rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart expected to lead an improved offense. For that transition to succeed, New York will need their biggest offensive playmaker on the field.

Nabers is widely viewed as the focal point of the passing game, and his chemistry with Dart could become one of the defining storylines of the 2026 season.

While avoiding the PUP list was an encouraging first step, Nabers made it clear that the Giants will continue prioritizing his long-term health over rushing him back for Week 1. For now, they remain hopeful, but there is still no official timetable for his return.

The first season under head coach Brian Schottenheimer offered reasons for optimism on offense. Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and George Pickens formed one of the NFL’s most explosive trios, helping Dallas produce impressive offensive numbers throughout the year. The problem, however, came on the other side of the ball, where the defense consistently failed to make enough plays in critical moments.

If new defensive coordinator Christian Parker can turn that unit around, many believe the Cowboys have the talent to become legitimate championship contenders. Jones clearly shares that belief, and he appears willing to make another major move to strengthen the roster.

Will the Cowboys make a trade before the season?

According to Jerry Jones, the answer is yes if the right opportunity presents itself. Speaking at the start of training camp, the Cowboys owner made it clear he is prepared to sacrifice future assets in exchange for an impact player who can help the team immediately.

“I’ll be very interested. I’ll give up future to add substantive to where we are today as to a player. To give you an idea of what I would invest, it’ll be something substantive to get the right kind of deal. To improve us on opening day. I would. I feel that good about this team, this year.”

Jones also revealed that he has already been active in trade discussions. “I talked about a situation yesterday with another team and another owner.” Those comments strongly suggest the Cowboys’ front office is exploring potential blockbuster scenarios before the regular season begins.

Who could the Cowboys target in a trade?

If the Dallas Cowboys ultimately pull off a blockbuster trade, the move will likely focus on improving the defense. One intriguing possibility could be Maxx Crosby, especially after reports earlier this offseason linked the Cowboys to the star pass rusher before negotiations ultimately failed to produce a deal.

With the Los Angeles Rams already making a massive splash by acquiring Myles Garrett, the pressure is on Dallas to respond in an increasingly competitive NFC. For now, there is no indication that a deal is imminent.

Still, Jones has once again made his intentions clear. If the ideal player becomes available, the Cowboys owner says he is willing to part with premium draft capital in an effort to give Dallas its best chance to compete for a Super Bowl in 2026.

Nabers can now gradually practice with his teammates under the coaching staff’s supervision. If he continues to progress as he has so far, there is little reason to be concerned about him missing the Giants‘ home opener against their NFC East rivals, the Cowboys.

“It will be a gradual process for Nabers and, barring any setbacks, it’s fair to be optimistic that he’ll be in the lineup against the Cowboys,” as reported by Dan Duggan on The Athletic. “The Giants are hoping Nabers’ earlier start to practice this summer has him ready for Week 1.”

NY Giants’ probable offense

Should Nabers be cleared to play from the outset of the 2026 NFL season, John Harbaugh could have an exciting offense at his disposal when the Giants take on the Cowboys at home. In addition to Nabers, Cam Skattebo’s health will be another storyline to monitor, but if both are available, Jaxson Dart will have the opportunity to pick up right where he left off.

Provided everyone stays healthy, the Giants’ offensive skill-position starters could be: Dart at quarterback, Skattebo at running back, Nabers as the primary wide receiver, followed by Darius Slayton and Calvin Austin III, with Isaiah Likely at tight end.

Considering Harbaugh’s style, the team could also lean on 12 personnel, taking a wide receiver off the field and pairing Theo Johnson with Likely at tight end.

Nabers’ medical history

Nabers has been out since tearing the ACL and meniscus in his right knee last season. The injury cut his sophomore NFL campaign short in just Week 4. Since then, Nabers’ recovery has been slow, and the road has been filled with hurdles.

During the offseason, a “clean-up” surgery to remove scar tissue raised alarms in East Rutherford, as the health concerns surrounding New York’s top receiving option suffered another setback in his expected recovery timeline.

Long time away for Nabers

Still, the NFL offseason is longer than that of any other major North American sport. That extra time has proven beneficial for both the Giants and Nabers. Even now, with training camp set to begin, the G-Men can afford to remain patient with their No. 1 wide receiver, as there is still time before the hourglass runs out and the season opens with a pivotal divisional clash against America’s Team.

How Nabers will look once he returns to the field after such a long layoff remains to be seen, but New York’s coaching and medical staffs are optimistic, while also being careful not to rush their best playmaker back. Even though it has been 10 months since the season-ending injury at MetLife Stadium, the Giants have no intention of taking unnecessary risks with Nabers.