“We’ve had people play under labels and we’ve done deals with people who have labels,” Jones said. “It can go either way. We’re continuing to really analyze the situation and see what’s next.”
The franchise tag would ensure that Pickens will only play in Dallas through 2026. It also solves a big question in the short term, as Pickens comes off a roster that started with Williams after the quarterback posted his own best season (1,201 yards, 11 touchdowns) in 2025 and continues with elite kicker Brandon Aubrey, who has been under contract. for a long time.
Keeping key contributors from the NFL’s second-ranked offense was an important goal in the 2026 offseason. But Dallas is also acutely aware of what’s holding it back — defense — in 2025, and would be wise to spend most of its remaining roster on that side of the ball.
The process began with two important transactions carried out at the beginning and during the season. The Cowboys made the stunning decision to send All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons to Green Bay in exchange for two first-round picks and veteran defensive tackle Kenny Clark, then followed that up by acquiring All-Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams in a trade with the struggling Jets at the November trade deadline.
That continued when the Cowboys overhauled their defensive staff by firing defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus and replacing him with Vic Fangio lieutenant Christian Parker.
However, the work is not finished.
“Yeah. We want to fix this defense,” Jones said when asked if there was a desire to drain the Cowboys’ cap space in the offseason. “We feel really good on the offensive side of the ball now that we got Javonte done and we know we’re going to get George back. So, we feel really good on that side of the ball. Obviously, we spent a lot of time already in the offseason improving the defensive coaching staff, and now we’re taking the next steps, which is improving the personnel on that side.”
The Cowboys believe they’ve already solved half of the equation by hiring Parker, a coach who Jones said is “defensively minded” and already impressed with the way he’s built his defense.
Now it’s up to Jones and the rest of the Cowboys personnel department to finish the job with a roster. That process will increase toward maximum speed in the coming weeks.