DENVER, COLORADO – OCTOBER 26: Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones looks on a game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High on October 26, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
The Dallas Cowboys had one of the best offenses in the NFL during the 2025 campaign, with star quarterback Dak Prescott and company having no problem putting points on the board every single week.
However, the defense of America’s Team was sorely lacking, as they simply were unable to recover after sending superstar linebacker Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers in a blockbuster trade ahead of the 2025 NFL season.
With the defense being a primary concern moving forward, the Cowboys’ top priority during the offseason will be upgrading that side of the football.
Trade Idea: Cowboys Land Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick
GettyMinkah Fitzpatrick #29 of the Miami Dolphins
One way the Cowboys can improve their roster on the defensive side of the football is by making trades, with one intriguing option proposed by Mauricio Rodriguez of A to Z Sports Dallas, who thinks the storied franchise should go after veteran safety Minkah Fitzpatrick of the Miami Dolphins in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Dallas receives: S Minkah Fitzpatrick
Miami receives: 2026 5th round pick (150th overall)
“Safety is one of the most underrated needs for the Cowboys going into the 2026 season, and you know new defensive coordinator Christian Parker would love a high-end starter like Fitzpatrick on the team. Parker mentioned multiplicity as the theme of his defense, and a versatile DB like Minkah would give Dallas exactly that. If the Cowboys are serious about “busting the budget,” they shouldn’t mind giving up Day 3 draft picks. Not to mention, they’ve shown an increased willingness to deal late-round picks in recent years. That being said, a fourth-round pick may be a little too rich for their taste considering they don’t have a second nor a third this year.”
There’s no doubt that longtime team owner and general manager Jerry Jones knows the defense needs to be addressed during the NFL season, so it’ll be interesting to see if he entertains trade scenarios or pivots to the draft and/or free agency.
George Pickens’ Timeline for Contract Talks With Cowboys
GettyGeorge Pickens #3 of the Dallas Cowboys
Along with upgrading the defense ahead of the 2026 campaign, the Cowboys’ brass will need to address the contract situation with breakout wide receiver George Pickens.
According to Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News, contract talks will begin at the upcoming NFL combine.
“Pickens’ agents want to start contract talks at the combine, which starts next week in Indianapolis,” Watkins wrote. “Hopefully, contract talks will go smoothly for both sides because if you get Pickens into the offseason program and training camp on time, then you begin Year 2 of Brian Schottenheimer’s tenure on the right path.”
Pickens was better than expected after being traded to the Cowboys from the Pittsburgh Steelers, as he earned All-Pro honors for the first time in his NFL career, racking up 1,429 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on 93 catches.
He quickly became one of Prescott’s favorite targets downfield and the perfect addition alongside star wideout CeeDee Lamb, forming one of the best wide receiver duos in the NFL.
Ryan Ward is a longtime credentialed writer covering the NBA and NFL. He has over 15 years of experience in the sports industry from writing, editing, social media management and podcasting. He has covered the Lakers and Raiders for Medium Large Sports, with a previous stint at ClutchPoints. Ward is a Los Angeles native from the United Kingdom, who now resides in Colorado.
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