The NFL Combine brought together all 32 general managers this week, sparking a surge of trade and contract rumors, including discussions centered on George Pickens’ pending free agency. The Dallas Cowboys appear set to use the franchise tag on Pickens ahead of the early March deadline to keep him under team control for the 2026 season.
Stephen Jones, the Cowboys’ executive vice president, confirmed the organization’s inclination toward tagging Pickens, stating,
“We’re leaning towards the franchise tag,”
during a break in competition committee meetings held at the NFL Scouting Combine. He added,
“We’ll finalize that here over the coming week or 10 days, and then we’ll go from there. These just take time. We want Pickens here. We think the world of him. We love him. And I think he wants to be here, so all of that is a plus.”
This approach is largely driven by the complexities involved in securing a significant long-term contract, as Jones explained. Using the franchise tag as a temporary measure, which will cost about $28 million for the upcoming season, safeguards the Cowboys’ ability to negotiate a more permanent deal by mid-July without losing Pickens in free agency.
However, relying solely on the franchise tag carries risks. If Pickens plays the 2026 season on the tag without a longer commitment, it could lead to dissatisfaction, potentially resulting in a holdout, reduced effort to avoid injury, or even a trade request. Such outcomes would pose serious challenges for Dallas, which heavily depends on Pickens as a core offensive weapon.
This past season, Pickens established new career highs with 93 receptions, 1,429 yards, and nine touchdowns, proving indispensable to the Cowboys’ offense. Securing him beyond 2025 is a priority, and the franchise tag strategy provides time—but not certainty—for that to happen. Dallas will need to finalize a long-term agreement by July to prevent any distractions or uncertainty going into the 2026 campaign.
Cleveland Browns Consider Another Trade-Back Strategy in Upcoming Draft
The Cleveland Browns shocked the NFL world last year by trading out of the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to move down to No. 5, while also accumulating future draft assets. With rookie Mason Graham’s promising debut and improvements in their ground attack, that move has paid off well so far, especially with Travis Hunter’s role remaining uncertain.
Now holding the No. 6 pick in the 2026 draft, the Browns are reportedly open to repeating a similar trade-down maneuver. According to Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot, the Browns are willing to consider offers that provide additional draft capital if a team covets a player they desire at No. 6.
The second-best quarterback in the class is Alabama’s Ty Simpson, whom the Browns will consider at No. 6, No. 24 and No. 39. But if a team loves Simpson or another player and makes the Browns an offer they can’t refuse, they’ll once again jump at the chance. The Browns are admittedly in rebuilding mode and can use all the high picks they can get.
Finding a reliable quarterback has been a challenge for Cleveland. While Las Vegas Raiders are almost certain to select Fernando Mendoza first overall, the remainder of the quarterback class has uncertainty surrounding their readiness and potential impact. Should the Browns determine that Ty Simpson or any other options don’t meet their standards at No. 6, moving down to gather more picks could be more beneficial.
Trading down would not remove them from the first round entirely—they would likely acquire another first-round pick in the process and still retain the Jaguars’ pick at No. 24. This strategy aims to add multiple talented players to various positions, accelerating their rebuilding effort, rather than focusing on a single prospect.
Given their roster’s wide-ranging needs, converting one pick into multiple assets could offer the Browns more flexibility to address weaknesses across the board.
Mac Jones’ High Trade Value May Prompt San Francisco 49ers to Reconsider
While the San Francisco 49ers currently have no plans to trade backup quarterback Mac Jones, mounting interest and offers from other teams might influence their decision. ESPN analyst Bill Barnwell recently proposed a mock trade where the Minnesota Vikings would acquire Jones and a 2027 third-round pick in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick and conditional later picks.
This deal would net the 49ers a valuable second-round pick in 2026 and additional conditional selections, which is a strong return for a backup quarterback expected to see limited playing time unless injuries strike. The Vikings, among other teams, reportedly are prepared to present significant offers to acquire Jones, as noted by Vic Tafur of The Athletic.
Despite Jones’ solid reliability last season, providing dependable backup performance, San Francisco’s roster is anchored by Brock Purdy as the starting quarterback. Trading Jones for high-value picks could free up assets to strengthen other areas without jeopardizing team stability.
Though the Niners are under no obligation to move him, capitalizing on a second-round compensation for a backup reportedly on San Francisco’s roster depth chart is an opportunity difficult to overlook.
Implications for the Coming NFL Offseason and Draft
With George Pickens likely to be franchise tagged by the Cowboys, the team maintains control while navigating the complexities of a long-term agreement, mitigating immediate risk but facing potential challenges if negotiations extend too long. The Browns’ inclination to trade down in the draft reflects a broader rebuilding mindset favoring quantity of picks over marquee selections when uncertainty exists at critical positions like quarterback.
The 49ers’ potential to trade Mac Jones for premium picks illustrates how even backup players with strong reputations can command significant trade value in the right market conditions, especially when teams are managing salary cap and roster structure strategically.
As the NFL offseason unfolds, teams will weigh the risks and rewards of these moves carefully. Fans of the Cowboys will watch closely for resolution on Pickens’ contract status, while Browns supporters anticipate moves that could shape their youth-heavy roster. Meanwhile, the 49ers’ decisions regarding Jones could affect their roster flexibility ahead of a competitive 2026 season.
