Overview
- The Cowboys applied a non-exclusive franchise tag to wide receiver George Pickens and he signed it to play the 2026 season, with the club not pursuing a long-term extension before the July 15 deadline.
- Franchise legend Emmitt Smith publicly praised the unusually slow spring, saying the reduced drama keeps the club focused on on-field work rather than off-field headlines.
- Kicker Brandon Aubrey agreed to a contract extension after earlier negotiations drew attention, giving the team stability at a specialist position.
- Dallas hired former Eagles assistant Christian Parker as defensive coordinator, a move analysts say is central because the unit ranked near the bottom last season and must improve for the team to advance.
- Remaining risk factors include reported tensions between owner Jerry Jones and agent David Mulugheta and tight salary-cap room, both of which could revive headlines if talks or roster moves grow contentious; the franchise’s long history of offseason disputes underscores why avoiding drama matters now.