1 player the Cowboys must trade before the 2026 NFL trade deadline

The Dallas Cowboys have a tough decision to make before the 2026 NFL trade deadline, and George Pickens should be at the center of the conversation. The Cowboys sit at 2-4; their season is headed in the wrong direction, and the franchise has just a few weeks to decide if it can convince its star wide receiver that his future is in Dallas.

Unless something changes quickly, the Cowboys should trade Pickens before the deadline rather than risk losing him for nothing next offseason.

The Cowboys have little time to change Pickens’ mind

Pickens’ value to the Cowboys is undeniable. After arriving from the Pittsburgh Steelers last offseason, he delivered the best season of his career in 2025, recording 93 receptions for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns. He earned his first Pro Bowl selection and second-team All-Pro honors, establishing himself as one of the NFL’s most dangerous receivers.

Dallas made a great move by hiring him, but the situation became more complicated.

Pickens plays on the franchise tag through 2026, making $27.3 million on a fully guaranteed one-year deal. The Cowboys opted not to pursue a long-term extension before the July deadline, meaning contract negotiations will not resume until after the regular season.

Pickens wants the long-term security that comes with a big contract, and Dallas hasn’t shown it’s willing to make that commitment. The Cowboys could still change course, but their disappointing start makes it hard to imagine Pickens viewing Dallas as the perfect place to spend the prime years of his career.

A win can change the conversation. At 2-4, however, the Cowboys have a lot of work to do before they can convince anyone that they are legitimate Super Bowl contenders.

Dallas could get a big return for Pickens

The good news for Jerry Jones is that Pickens should have interest if the Cowboys make him available. Teams looking for a difference-maker at wide receiver will have a chance to land a player coming off an All-Pro season, and his talent makes him an attractive addition for a contender trying to bolster its offense.

Jones was justified in asking for a big return. Pickens is no ordinary rental receiver, and his ability to make explosive plays gives him serious value. However, the franchise-tag situation complicates any potential deal because the acquiring team would have to consider the possibility of negotiating a long-term contract after the season.

Some teams may be willing to give up prime draft capital for the chance to extend Pickens. Others may be reluctant to pay a big price for a player they may only have for the rest of 2026. That uncertainty will make negotiations a challenge, but it shouldn’t stop Jones from exploring his options.

The Cowboys must weigh what Pickens can provide over the next few months against what they could receive in a trade. If the team believes a playoff push is realistic, keeping him makes sense. If Dallas continues to struggle, moving him becomes a more logical decision.

Jerry Jones can’t afford to lose a superstar for nothing

The biggest concern is what happens if the Cowboys hold on to Pickens and fail to reach an agreement after the season. He could enter free agency in 2027, leaving Dallas without a receiver or the draft capital it could acquire by trading him.

That would be a tough outcome to accept after Jones made the decision to trade for Pickens in the first place. The move paid off immediately, with Pickens performing at an elite level and giving Dak Prescott another dangerous weapon alongside CeeDee Lamb. But getting a star is only part of the challenge. Dallas must also decide how to retain that player or maximize his value before the relationship ends.

If losses persist, Jones should pick up the phone and listen to offers. Trading Pickens won’t erase last year’s deal success. Instead, it could be the next step in ensuring Dallas receives long-term value from an investment that has already paid dividends.