FRISCO, Texas – After three days at the Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix, Arizona, the NFL's annual owner's meetings are complete.
Cowboys owner/GM Jerry Jones, COO/co-owner Stephen Jones and head coach Brian Schottenheimer all met with the media earlier this week, with questions about the offseason, upcoming NFL Draft and more looming.
Let's take a look back at some of the top headlines from this past week in Phoenix:
Latest on Cowboys' negotiations with WR George Pickens
The future of wide receiver George Pickens is at the forefront of offseason storylines in 2026. After his first career Pro Bowl season with Dallas in 2025, the Cowboys placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Pickens last month. Cowboys owner/GM Jerry Jones said there have been no new talks with Pickens or his representation, but Dallas is planning for a long-term future with Pickens.
"The franchise tag has an automatic timeframe on it and all of us will – and it's my plan and our thought – that we'll all be working within the timeframe of the conditions of the franchise tag," Jones said. "It should play itself out is the best way for me to say it. Make no mistake about it, we have long-term plans in mind for Pickens."
The deadline for the two sides to come to a deal on a long-term extension is July 15th. Before then, the remaining question is whether or not Pickens participates in the voluntary offseason program. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer said he had no assurances and wasn’t going to push Pickens for any regarding his attendance. Should Pickens elect to participate, he would need to sign his $27.3 million franchise tag first.
Cowboys "not done" with offseason additions: "We got some more to do"
Adding to the secondary and defensive line have been a major emphasis for Dallas in free agency and in the trade market, as the Cowboys acquired OLB Rashan Gary, DT Otito Ogbonnia, S Jalen Thompson and CB Cobie Durant among others. Still, there is a glaring need at linebacker, the only defensive position Dallas did not make an addition at this offseason.
"We made a run at some guys in free agency. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn't," Schottenheimer said. "And what do you do? You just adjust. It's something we're working on 365, 24-7. We've got a good plan. We've got firepower now going into the draft. We're not done. We're always open for business. So part of it's going to be [DeMarvion Overshown] having a tremendous year. Shemar James is a guy we're excited about. But we recognize we've got to fill some holes there."
All three of Schottenheimer, Stephen and Jerry Jones said they would be comfortable with a rookie handling the middle linebacker/green dot responsibilities in the defense if it's the right player. Could that be through a trade or in the draft? Maybe both? The next couple weeks will tell. Wide receiver was a need for Dallas going into the offseason last year, the Cowboys did not draft or sign a WR2, and ended up making a trade for George Pickens after the draft, and a similar scenario could happen this time around too.
Quick hitters:
- The Cowboys placed a $5.76 million second-round tender on kicker Brandon Aubrey earlier this offseason, and Jerry Jones appears to be satisfied with Aubrey playing under that option in 2026: "I would say that I'm satisfied short of where we are with him signing the tender offer. I'm satisfied where we are there," Jones said. "I'm not going to get into what it would take because that's obviously still subject of a negotiation, but we do have long-term plans."
- Second year OLB Donovan Ezeiruaku is still likely to miss most of the offseason program after undergoing labrum surgery earlier in the offseason, but is still expected to be ready to go for training camp in Oxnard. Brian Schottenheimer added: "Spending time with Chidera [Uzo-Diribe] and some of those guys, and just getting to know them, this is a big time of the year to do that. He feels great and he's excited."
- Schottenheimer also added that CBs DaRon Bland and Shavon Revel are two players that have been in the building as they recover from injuries. Bland, who had surgery on his injured foot, has checked into Schottenheimer's office several times to say hello, and Schottenheimer added he's seen Revel, who dealt with a knee injury in his rookie season, doing on-field work with teammates from his office.
- The Cowboys have a specific action plan in place for LT Tyler Guyton going into a crucial third season after his career has been riddled with injuries at inopportune times. As for what that plan includes, Schottenheimer said: "It starts with his footwork. Getting more comfortable, getting more balanced at the point of attack. And then there's his hand usage. He's really a young, raw left tackle, you know? Defensive lineman, right tackle in college, left tackle that's missed a bunch of time, so the biggest thing for him will be having a great, healthy offseason. How do you do that? Well, Luke Schoonmaker figured it out last year. He had a great plan leading up from February, March, into the offseason program, and that's what Tyler Guyton's done thus far."
- Aside from linebacker, two other needs that Schottenheimer pointed out on the defense are at the nickel position and OLB. Dallas has players at those positions that can get the job done, but could still use more depth. He added the Cowboys are still looking for "a starter or two" on the defensive side of the ball.
- After trading DT Osa Odighizuwa to the San Francisco 49ers, Schottenheimer said he and Odighizuwa wept together over the phone after the deal was done. It was not an easy trade for Dallas to make considering Odighizuwa's presence as a leader in the locker room: "That was one of the hard ones…" Schottenheimer said. "It was hard but that's the nature of the business and I'm thrilled that he's going to a place that is a great fit for him."
- Former Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, who is now the head coach of his hometown Pittsburgh Steelers, had “nothing but great things” to say about his five seasons as Dallas’ head man. McCarthy hired Schottenheimer as an analyst in 2022 and promoted him to offensive coordinator the following year, saying: "I thought he did a great job for us, and so well deserving of his opportunity in Dallas. If there's ever been a guy that's ready, it's definitely Brian Schottenheimer."
