Is Dallas free agent receiver George Pickens about to be traded? Probably not, but during a Super Bowl pregame show that checked in at just under a quarter of a day, a well-sourced journalist threw that out there and the feeding frenzy ensued.
Meanwhile, what free agents would interest Dallas? How about a Super Bowl champion cornerback who distinguished himself in the postseason with one of the worst penalties imaginable. He could probably help one of the worst cornerback groups imaginable.
And now that Bad Bunny has America talking with his halftime show, there is a line of merchandise out with his name on it and the Cowboys are all in. Here we go.
George Pickens trade
Don’t be alarmed by the headline, Dallas has not traded and seems unlikely to sign and trade impending free agent receiver George Pickens, one of the plum free agents in the current class. By all indications, when Dallas is able to on Feb. 17, the Cowboys are going to put a franchise tag on him that would be a one-year deal worth around $28.8 million.
But during the five and a half hour Super Bowl pregame show there is plenty of time for pundits to opine about just about everything and Ian Rapoport, a well-sourced NFL insider, offered this on Sunday’s pregame show: “The Cowboys have shown a willingness to trade their star players for significant draft pick compensation. Maybe those players have the same agent in David Mulugheta. I’m just saying, it’s an interesting situation to consider.”
“Those players” is Pickens and perhaps the only star player Dallas has traded in recent memory, Micah Parsons, who are both represented by David Mulugheta. The idea of Dallas showing “a willingness to trade their star players” doesn’t have much other history, though they have let good players named DeMarcus leave in free agency (DeMarcus Ware and DeMarcus Lawrence).
The theory is that Dallas won’t want Pickens on a one-year contract then get nothing or little for him next season, so they tag him to kill his leverage, then make a trade. And this being the silly season, reporters and bloggers everywhere are putting together potential trades.
The site Fansided had perhaps the one deal that Dallas would consider, a trade to Kansas City to give the Chiefs a No. 1 receiver. In this speculation, Dallas gets back wide receiver Xavier Worthy (a University of Texas alum), a 2027 first-round pick and a 2026 third-round pick.
By contrast, Jordan Dajani of CBS Sports, in “Ten crazy 2026 NFL offseason predictions” has Dallas dealing Pickens to the Broncos for this year’s late second-round pick, which surely Denver and Pickens would jump at.
He writes: “Jerry Jones and Co. didn’t learn from the Micah Parsons saga, as we predict another dramatic standoff is in store for Dallas this offseason. Pickens will be hit with the franchise tag, as fans lament the reported lack of communication between the two camps. Pickens requests a trade as the public spectacle intensifies. That’s when the Broncos swoop in and give the Cowboys a second-round pick for the wideout, then sign Pickens to a multi-year extension that pays him an average of $31 million per year. Bo Nix needs upgraded weaponry if the Broncos want to reach that next level. Pickens is that big-play weapon Broncos fans have been praying for.”
Stay tuned.
Riq Woolen Dallas Cowboys
Seattle cornerback Riq Woolen, perhaps most famous for the dumbest taunting penalty of all time in the NFL Championship game, has now won a Super Bowl and is hitting the free agency market.
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox has ranked his top 50 free agent prospects, Woolen is 10th and cornerback is obviously one of Dallas’ biggest needs. Knox projects Woolen as being worth a three-year, $24 million deal has has the Cowboys as a potential target, along with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Knox writes of Woolen: “While consistency isn’t Woolen’s strongest suit, he’s a quality starter overall. With a 6’4″ frame and proven ball skills, he’ll appeal to teams that can tolerate the occasional lapse for a high ceiling.”
So who does Knox have No. 1? George Pickens, of course, projecting him to be worth $125 million over four years.
He writes: “According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, the Cowboys plan to tag the 24-year-old but could consider trading him. If Pickens does reach the open market, though, he should be coveted by virtually every team with the financial means to sign him. During his breakout 2025 campaign, he regularly showcased his playmaking ability both before and after the catch.”
While implying Pickens will most likely stay with Dallas, he lists the Bills and Patriots as potential landing spots.
The other Cowboys on Knox’s list is No. 32, running back Javonte Williams.
Dallas Cowboys Brazil game
Dallas is set to play the first-ever NFL game in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2026. Previous NFL games in Brazil have been in Sau Paulo, the biggest city in the Western hemisphere. The date, time an opponent for the Cowboys have not been announced. As to time, there is only a two-hour time zone difference between Dallas and Rio so an 2:25 p.m. MT/3:25 p.m. CT (5:25 p.m. in Rio) game of the week start is a possibility, as is prime time (9:20 p.m. Rio kickoff time).
The game will be a Cowboys home game and it will be against one of the following nine teams: Philadelphia Eagles; Washington Commanders; New York Giants; Jacksonville Jaguars; Tennessee Titans; Baltimore Ravens; Arizona Cardinals; San Francisco 49ers; Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Dallas Cowboys Seattle Seahawks free agents
The Dallas Cowboys Wire’s K.D. Drummond has put together a list of five Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks free agents that could interest Dallas, and cornerback Riq Woolen is on it. The others are Super Bowl MVP running back Kenneth Walker (if Dallas doesn’t resign Javonte Williams, and if Walker doesn’t become the highest paid running back in the league), cornerback Josh Jobe, safety Coby Bryant and linebacker Drake Thomas.
Of Bryant, Drummond writes: “The former fourth-round pick has been part of Seattle’s multiple-safety defense this season, playing in a split-safety look and will now hit free agency. He’s 6-foot-1, 193 pounds and could be a relatively cheap option to replace Donovan Wilson in the starting lineup. Envisioning a world where Caleb Downs enters the scenario and plays the Nick Emmanwori slot safety role… yes, please.”
Dallas Cowboys Bad Bunny NFL collection
The Dallas Cowboys’ Pro Shop has a complete array of gear, including shirts of all kinds and jerseys. Now the Cowboys, along with all of the NFL, has a Bad Bunny collection with a variety of merch, though the only indication of the Puerto Rican rapper is a patch on the arm of apparel. That includes a $100 hoodie.
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on X.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: A George Pickens trade? Not likely, but Cowboys are always in the news
Reporting by Bret Bloomquist, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
