The first wave of the Dallas Cowboys‘ offseason has mostly been settled, with the removal of Matt Eberflus as the defensive coordinator and the addition of former Eagles defensive backs coach Christian Parker to replace him. Parker’s staff is now being filled in, and already, the Cowboys are scouting and considering prospects for the April draft.
But Dallas figures to need to operate differently this offseason, if the team is to truly return to contender’s status. After all, this bunch has won only four playoff games and has not been to a conference championship in the past three decades. A change in thinking can only help.
And that change will need to begin in free agency, where the Cowboys will need to finally be a team that spends money to bring in players. With that in mind, the Blogging the Boys site put together a free-agent “wish list” and one name in particular stood out–especially if it signals one of the Cowboys’ own free agents landing elsewhere.
Cowboys Could See Alec Pierce as ‘Consolation Prize’
That would be Alec Pierce of the Colts, who would be a fascinating fallback option if the Cowboys can’t sign star receiver George Pickens, or agree to put the franchise tag on him before trading him elsewhere. Pierce is a speedy perimeter receiver who has topped 21 mph multiple times with the ball in his hands and excels at deep balls.
Pierce topped 1,000 yards receiving on just 47 catches this year, leading the NFL in yards per catch at 21.3–the second consecutive season he has led the league in that category.
As BtB pointed out, Pierce has dealt with nine different starting quarterbacks in his four seasons in Indianapolis: “Alec Pierce would be a great consolation prize if the Cowboys are unable to retain George Pickens for whatever reason. He’s one of the best deep threats in the entire league whose production will likely improved with better QB play, unlike the carousel he’s had to deal with during his time with the Colts.”
GettyDallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens.
Keeping George Pickens Still Top Option
Of course, the aim for the Cowboys is still to re-sign Pickens and keep him on board after his impressive 1,429-yard season in 2025, the fourth-most single-season yards in franchise history. The problem is that the Cowboys saw Pickens play so well last year that he has earned a contract that ranks among the top payouts in the NFL at his position.
Pickens is projected to earn a four-year, $122 million contract in free agency by Spotrac. But giving him that money, alongside CeeDee Lamb, means the Cowboys would have two $30-million-plus receivers on the offense. That might be too much.
The Cowboys could franchise-tag Pickens, which would give him a one-year, $28 million contract, but there is a chance he would hold out until he got a full contract this summer. That’s where the tag-and-trade possibility would open up.
And if Pickens is sent elsewhere, Pierce would be a great long-ball threat opposite Lamb–at a cheaper price. Spotrac projects him at four years and $80 million.
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