“There’s zero interest in a trade for George Pickens. Zero interest,” Stephen Jones firmly stated on the Mad Dog Sports Radio. Evidently, Brian Schottenheimer and the rest of his staff intend to keep their elite offensive trio composed of Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Pickens.

Meanwhile, as the team’s first moves begin to take shape, Jones also added that he expects to see the receiver at the OTA sessions: “Certainly, that’s what we expect. I mean, anytime a player signs a contract and the expectations, as we hold for all of our players, is when you sign up and you’re under contract then you’re expected to do what your teammates are doing.”

Everything seems to have fallen into place for America’s team. The Cowboys defensive projection has grown exponentially thanks to their reinforcements, and now the offense—their greatest strength—has been secured for 2026.

How is Pickens’ contract situation?

By signing the tender, Pickens locked in a fully guaranteed salary of $27.3 million, ensuring he remains a focal point of the Cowboys’ offense alongside CeeDee Lamb.

While the team has currently paused negotiations for a long-term extension until the 2027 offseason, the signing of the tag eliminates any threat of a holdout. This allows Pickens to focus entirely on the upcoming campaign as the team’s clear WR2, aiming to build on his elite production from last year and solidify his case for a record-breaking contract in the near future.

Cowboys offense aims to remain elite

Leading the league’s second-ranked total offense in 2025, Dak Prescott orchestrated a high-powered aerial attack that accounted for 4,552 passing yards and 30 touchdowns. Under his veteran command, the air game became the unit’s primary engine, helping Dallas maintain a top-tier average of 391.9 total yards per game.

By consistently challenging defenses downfield, Prescott finished the season with a solid 99.5 passer rating, proving the team’s pass-heavy identity remains one of the most potent threats in the NFL.

Jordan Schultz, via his X account, revealed that America’s Team will host the experienced cornerback, with a chance for him to join moving forward. Parker and Jackson worked together last season in Philly, where the Cowboys’ current DC served as the defensive backs coach.

During the 2025 season, Jackson started 10 games for the Eagles. With him on the field, he recorded 55 tackles, 11 pass breakups (PBUs), and 1 interception. Previously, over his three seasons with the Giants, he accumulated 176 total tackles and 23 passes defended.

A new era under Christian Parker

The Christian Parker hiring, after his stint with Eagles, came after the dismissal of Matt Eberflus, who had served as the coordinator but failed to provide the long-term stability the franchise required.

Parker’s primary challenge will be fixing a unit that struggled significantly last season, particularly in run defense and third-down efficiency, which were among the team’s weakest facets during the 2025 campaign. By focusing on tactical discipline and maximizing the roster’s elite pass-rushing talent, the Cowboys hope Parker can turn a vulnerable defense into a championship-caliber group.

Elite secondary for the Cowboys

The secondary unit is headlined by DaRon Bland, who steps into the definitive CB1 role, and the newly acquired Cobie Durant, who joins from the Rams to provide veteran leadership and a knack for creating turnovers. They are supported by talents like Shavon Revel Jr. and Devin Moore, forming a group that aims to restore the team’s identity as a ball-hawking defense.

Dallas aims to contend in the NFC East

The Cowboys are determined to reclaim the NFC East, though the road is tougher than ever with a revamped New York Giants roster emerging as a legitimate title contender. To overcome their rivals, America’s Team must find consistency under their new defensive leadership and ensure their star-studded offense can outpace a division that has grown increasingly defensive-minded.

The Cowboys are fighting to return to the top for the first time since 2023, which marks the last time they secured the division title before the Eagles took control of the East in recent campaigns.

The information was revealed by insider Tom Pelissero through his X account, adding that the deal was for a sum close to $5 million. Mike Macdonald adds quality and experience in the trenches.

Fowler Jr. will play for his sixth team since turning professional. In addition to the already mentioned Jaguars and Cowboys, he has also worn the jerseys of the Washington Commanders, Los Angeles Rams, and Atlanta Falcons.

Fowler Jr.’s 2025 season in Dallas

During his second tenure with the Dallas Cowboys, Dante Fowler Jr. served as a key rotational pass rusher, contributing a solid veteran presence to the defensive line. In his final season with the team, he recorded 10 solo tackles and showcased his ability to get to the quarterback by tallying 3 sacks.

While he didn’t record any forced fumbles or interceptions during that stretch, his efficiency in limited snaps helped maintain the intensity of the Cowboys’ pass rush.

How much do the Seahawks gain with the arrival of the pass rusher?

The addition of Dante Fowler Jr. provides the Seattle Seahawks with a seasoned pass rusher who brings valuable depth and a high pressure rate to Mike Macdonald’s defensive front. By joining forces with defensive coordinator Aden Durde, Fowler Jr. allows the Seahawks to maintain a more consistent rotation, keeping their edge rushers fresh for high-leverage passing downs.

He is expected to join a rotation that features potential starters DeMarcus Lawrence, Uchenna Nwosu, and Derick Hall, significantly bolstering a unit that needed veteran reinforcements after the departure of Boye Mafe.

“Where he can continue to go and grow is scary because what he did last year was amazing. And the more you watch the film, then you see it and you’re just kind of like, ‘Whoa.’ It’s just different,” the head coach said Saturday to the press. “We’ve got a lot of really good football players, and he’s certainly at the top of that list along with some of our other studs.“

The offense of America’s Team promises to be one of the most aggressive, to the point that the Cowboys already were impressed with UDFA tight ends Michael Trigg and DJ Rogers.

In the last couple of days, Schottenheimer tried to stay out of the trade buzz surrounding Pickens, although the wide receiver’s presence heading into the 2026 NFL season looks encouraging for this team. Can the former Steeler surpass the numbers he put up last season?

Pickens aims to improve on his 2025 numbers

George Pickens has truly cemented himself as one of Dak Prescott’s most lethal targets since joining the Dallas Cowboys in 2025. Following a blockbuster trade from the Steelers, Pickens exploded in his first season in Texas, recording career-highs across the board and earning his first Pro Bowl selection and AP Second-Team All-Pro honors.

Pickens finished the year ranked 3rd in the NFL in receiving yards, proving to be the perfect sidekick to CeeDee Lamb in an explosive Cowboys passing attack. His chemistry with Dak Prescott was evident in several massive performances, including a 168-yard game against the Panthers and a 146-yard showing in a comeback win over the Eagles.

Is he better now than he was in Pittsburgh?

George Pickens once established himself as a premier deep threat during his three seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he recorded 174 receptions for 2,841 yards and 12 touchdowns in 48 games. After a promising rookie campaign in 2022 (801 yards), he had a breakout 2023 season with 1,140 yards and a league-leading 18.1 yards per catch.

However, his final year in Pittsburgh was marked by frustration, including a hamstring injury and public criticism regarding his effort on the field, which eventually led to his trade to Dallas in May 2025.

Right now, the player is enjoying a strong run of form on the field, and it seems he may have found his place in Dallas. For now, Schottenheimer and company are excited about what he could unlock in the near future.

According to Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News, Trigg and Rogers gave “positive first impressions” at the team’s rookie minicamps. However, Watkins did note that it’s Trigg the one impressing the most due to his ability to get explosive plays, though his drops are a concern.

Trigg played for USC, Ole Miss, and Baylor during his college days. He posted a 50-catch season for 694 yards, and six-touchdowns in 2025. Trigg is 23 years old and is 6’4″, 245 lbs.

DJ Rogers’ profile for the Cowboys

DJ Rogers played five years for TCU, and he is off his best season with 34 catches, 319 yards, and two touchdown. Rogers is 6’3″, 230 lbs. He is a physically imposing player, but his is near 25 years old, so he is quite an experienced rookie. His potential might not be as high as Trigg’s.

Also, he is not as explosive as Trigg. In fact, 82.4% of his 2025 catches were on plays of less than 10 yards per pass. He also brings some knee concerns as he tore his meniscus in high school and also suffered some minor knee injuries in the 2026 Senior Bowl week.

Cowboys updated TE depth chart

The Cowboys have Jake Ferguson as their TE1, and while he is good, he doesn’t belong in the upper-echelon of tight ends in the NFL. Luke Schoonmaker comes behind, with Brevyn Spann-Ford, and Princeton Fant below them.

Then, you get to both Trigg and Rogers. However, Spann-Ford has only 18 catches in two years as a pro, while Fant has been used basically just in special teams. Hence, Trigg and Rogers should be eyeing the competition with Schoonmaker who had 14 catches for 132 yards last season.

Jon Machota of The Athletic recently shared his personal analysis on X, detailing a revamped Cowboys defense that features an elite interior. His projected front includes massive stars like Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark, who are expected to command the trenches and disrupt opposing offenses from the interior.

In the secondary, Machota highlights a mix of returning ball-hawks and new faces like Caleb Downs and Jalen Thompson. While Brian Schottenheimer and the Cowboys want to stay away from drama like trade buzz with George Pickens, the team remains focused on refining a group that looks vastly different from last year’s starters like Sam Williams and Osa Odighizuwa.

Comparing 2026 Defensive Line with Previous One

The potential 2026 line represents a massive shift in talent, starting with Rashan Gary who joined via trade to provide an elite pass-rushing presence. Gary’s veteran experience and consistent pressure stats offer a more established threat than last year’s DE Sam Williams, who transitioned into a special teams and depth role.

In the middle, the “dynamic duo” of Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark completely transforms the interior defense compared to the 2025 tandem of Odighizuwa and Clark. Quinnen Williams was acquired to bring an All-Pro level of dominance that essentially wrote the end for previous starters who were traded to make room for this new era.

The linebacker corps also sees a youthful surge with Dee Winters and DeMarvion Overshown projected to take the reins. This move could replace the previous veteran presence of Kenneth Murray and Jack Sanborn, signaling a clear intent by the coaching staff to lean on speed and modern athletic profiles in the second level.

Finally, the cornerback room maintains its record-setting star DaRon Bland but adds Shavon Revel for a healthy Year 2. This projected group aims to be more resilient than last season’s unit, which relied on Kaiir Elam and faced depth issues that this new 2026 NFL roster hopes to have finally resolved.

“I don’t think there’s any reason for us to have that [conversation]. That’s now what we plan on doing,” Schottenheimer admitted to The Dallas Morning News.

After putting pen to paper on the $27.3 million franchise tag for the 2026 NFL season, Pickens is set to become an unrestricted free agent next offseason. Thus, it begs the question of which route Jerry Jones and the Cowboys will go down. Dallas has made it clear it won’t entertain extension talks at this point. If anything, America’s Team will wait to see how Pickens performs next season.

Cowboys won’t make Pickens decision right now

Facing a plethora of options, there’s even room for Jones and the Cowboys to make Pickens the highest-paid WR in NFL history. That prospect is surely one that will motivate Pickens to put together another strong year in Arlington. However, Schottenheimer believes Pickens isn’t one to be money-driven.

“I think [Pickens] would play this game for a dollar as much as he loves football,” Schottenheimer commented on Dallas’ star wideout. “These guys that love playing the game, they love playing the game.”

That might be true, but Jones and the Cowboys still had a tough time reaching an agreement with Pickens and his camp. At the end of the day, the wide receiver out of Georgia will play on the tag in 2026. Whatever happens next is uncertain. Schottenheimer says Dallas isn’t entertaining any speculation around Pickens—neither an extension nor a trade. However, history should warn everybody to keep an eye on America’s Team.

Parsons’ case casts a cloud of concern over Pickens

Anything can happen. Knowing Jones’ history with Pickens’ agent, David Mulugheta, it’s easy to question whether such a record-setting extension will be possible. After all, Micah Parsons—represented by Mulugheta as well—was also poised to sign a groundbreaking contract back in 2025, but he ended up putting pen to paper on a record non-quarterback contract in NFL history in Green Bay.

Indeed, everything is bigger in Texas, but it seems like Jones’ will to extend stars doesn’t match that. Or, what’s also big is the Cowboys owner’s grudge against Mulugheta.

Schottenheimer may have pushed back on a potential trade, but recent history indicates nothing can be taken for granted when it comes to the franchise valued at approximately $13 billion—according to Forbes‘ list in 2025—and located in Arlington, Texas, the “American Dream City.”

Fanatics announced the top 10 best-selling rookie jerseys on Fox Sports, and Cowboys’ Caleb Downs is leading the way. After Downs, it’s Dolphins’ Jacob Rodriguez, Malachi Lawrence (another Cowboys player) is third, and then Steelers’ Drew Allar and Raiders’ Fernando Mendoza complete the top five.

Another Dolphins player is sixth in Chris Johnson, Cardinals’ Jeremiyah Love comes at seventh, Caleb Lomu from the Patriots comes at eighth, Bears’ Dillon Thieneman is ninth, and Jets’ David Bailey closes the top 10. No Giants whatsoever.

The NY Giants should still focus on in-field action

Arvell Reese and Francis Mauigoa were the two first-round rookies picked by the Giants, both in the top 10 by the way. While they might not be generating hype to the point of selling huge amounts of jerseys, the Giants must feel good that they brought two incredible players to their roster.

Reese is one of the smartest players in this draft, ready to make an impact from the get-go. Mauigoa is an impactful player in the trenches, ready to protect Jaxson Dart at all costs. As long as they do their job, they will sell jerseys eventually.

The top 10 best-selling jerseys have a weird trend going on

Usually, skill position players sell quite a lot of jerseys. They are important, they are flashy, and they are mediatic. However, none of the four wide receivers taken in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft are on the list.

Carnell Tate (TEN), Makai Lemon (PHI), Jordyn Tyson (NO), and KC Concepcion (CLE) are nowhere near the top 10. The reason for this could be the markets. Aside from maybe Philadelphia (who’s dealing with all the AJ Brown drama anyway), the other teams aren’t exactly blockbuster markets.

“Super Bowl 61, February 14th, 2027. That’s where we plan on being,” he said via Jon Machota on X. “That’s a tall task. And we have to clean up a number of things that we need to improve on from last year.

“But it was proven this year by Seattle and New England that if you didn’t qualify for the playoffs the previous year, it doesn’t mean you can’t get to the big game.”

The last time the Dallas Cowboys played in (and won) a Super Bowl was on January 28, 1996, in Super Bowl XXX. Can Schottenheimer lead Dak Prescott and company back to the top of the NFL?

Cowboys’ Super Bowl appearances

The Dallas Cowboys have made eight Super Bowl appearances throughout their history, tied for the second-most in NFL history. They hold a 5-3 record in the championship game, securing victories in Super Bowls VI, XII, XXVII, XXVIII, and XXX.

The franchise’s golden eras were defined by legendary figures such as Roger Staubach, Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, and Michael Irvin, along with Hall of Fame coach Tom Landry. Despite their storied past and five rings, the team has not returned to the Super Bowl since their last victory in January 1996.

Seattle wins Super Bowl LX

The Seattle Seahawks captured their second Lombardi Trophy in franchise history by defeating the New England Patriots 29–13 in Super Bowl LX, held on February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium. Led by head coach Mike Macdonald, the Seahawks’ defense delivered a masterclass, recording six sacks and forcing three turnovers, including a decisive pick-six by Uchenna Nwosu.

Running back Kenneth Walker III was named the game’s MVP after a dominant performance with 135 rushing yards on 27 carries. Additionally, kicker Jason Myers set a Super Bowl record by converting five field goals, while quarterback Sam Darnold managed an efficient game to secure the title for the “12s” exactly 12 years after the team’s first championship.

“I’ll be excited to see him whenever I see him,” the head coach said via Todd Archer on X. The insider also added that Schottenheimer was not surprised that Pickens signed the franchise tag tender, and that communication between both sides has been excellent.

Dak Prescott is smiling, as is Jerry Jones and company. America’s Team had one of the most effective offenses last season, thanks in part to the contributions of former Steelers receiver. The big question heading into 2026 is whether they can take their numbers to another level.

Pickens’ 2025 numbers

George Pickens had a breakout debut season with the Dallas Cowboys in 2025, proving to be a premier deep threat for Dak Prescott. Over 17 games, he recorded career-highs across the board with 93 receptions for 1,429 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns, averaging an impressive 15.4 yards per catch.

His performance earned him his first Pro Bowl selection and Second-team All-Pro honors, finishing the season as the league’s third-leading receiver in total yards. Following this elite production, the Cowboys placed the franchise tag on him for the 2026 season to ensure he remains a cornerstone of their offense alongside CeeDee Lamb.

What’s Pickens’ contract situation?

Following latest season, the Cowboys placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on George Pickens to prevent him from hitting unrestricted free agency. Under this one-year tender, Pickens is set to earn a fully guaranteed salary of approximately $24.1 million for the 2026 season.

While the tag secures his presence in the lineup for now, both parties have until the mid-July deadline to negotiate a multi-year contract extension; otherwise, he will play out the year on the one-year deal and potentially face the tag again or free agency in 2027.

The star wideout had Dallas in limbo, but Pickens finally stayed true to Jones and the Cowboys. It took a while, but he put pen to paper on the franchise tag. If the relationship between Pickens and Jones’ Cowboys is indeed on good terms, reports suggest Dallas may unload a huge paycheck for Pickens next summer.

However, the deal lies in the hands of Pickens, whose off-the-field drama is a big reason why the Cowboys haven’t re-signed him to such an extension yet. If Pickens proves he can behave, there’s little reason to believe Jones wouldn’t welcome him back with open arms to AT&T Stadium—a.k.a. Jerry World.

“If [Pickens] goes into this season, plays on the franchise tag, and has a repeat of last year—and I don’t mean on the field, I mean off the field—he will sign the biggest contract for a wide receiver in NFL history,” Andrew Hawkins stated on NFL Live. “And he would’ve earned it, and answered a lot of questions.”

It’s up to Pickens

The ball is in Pickens’ court now. Obviously, Jones and the Cowboys are free to trade him at any moment if the right offer comes up, but they’ve shown no indication of being interested in trading Pickens. After all, the former second-round pick proved he can be a main target in Dallas’ offense.

Last season, he led the Cowboys in receptions (93), receiving yards (1,429), and receiving touchdowns (9). He was also the team leader in big plays—20-plus-yard gains—with 22 such catches or runs after the catch. With CeeDee Lamb sidelined in several games, Pickens proved his worth. Most importantly, he showcased his professionalism and eased most concerns about his personality and off-the-field antics.

Aside from being benched—along with Lamb—in the opening series against the Las Vegas Raiders after being late to the team bus, Pickens stayed out of trouble all year long. If he can keep that up, Jones may pay him the big bucks in 2027.

Cowboys don’t want to re-sign Pickens right now

With Pickens under the franchise tag and the board’s reluctance to re-sign him before the 2026 NFL season, the Cowboys are essentially hitting all the green lights to complete a blockbuster trade. Pickens wants to stay in Dallas, so he won’t complain much so as not to force Jones’ hand.

Simply put, Pickens must trust Jones will keep his word. Exactly like the Cowboys did when it was up to the wide receiver to come forward and sign the $27.3 million franchise tag.

Where Pickens’ contract ranks among NFL WRs

Entering the upcoming campaign, Pickens’ $27.3 million deal in 2026 ranks 15th among wide receivers in average per year (APY). Jaxon Smith-Njigba leads the NFL with his $42.1 million APY contract with the Seattle Seahawks. Out of every big-name wide receiver across the league, only Pickens is set to enter a contract year. Nico Collins could give him a run for his (projected) money, but the Houston Texans’ star is under contract through 2027.

Thus, if Pickens stays the course and puts up another fantastic season with America’s Team, he could be in for a skyrocketing jump to the very top of that list. It’s up to him—and to Jerry Jones not to pull off a signature, unexpected trade.