For the second straight season, the Dallas Cowboys missed the playoffs. With a disappointing 2025 campaign now behind them, the Cowboys can look ahead to the offseason.
Free agency will play a key role in the team’s direction moving forward. As the offseason begins, the Cowboys will have a mix of players becoming unrestricted, restricted and exclusive rights free agents.
For those needing a refresher, unrestricted free agents are free to negotiate and sign with any team. Restricted free agents can negotiate with other teams, but their original team can match any offer and receive draft pick compensation by placing a tender on the player. For exclusive rights free agents, a player can’t negotiate with other teams if their original team offers a one-year contract at the league minimum.
Can the Cowboys keep some of their playmakers before other teams can make an offer?
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Here’s a look at each of the Cowboys players hitting the free-agency market in 2026:
WR George Pickens (unrestricted free agent)
Pickens will be a big name to follow throughout the offseason. The Cowboys acquired the wide receiver in a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers last May.
That move paid off, as Pickens quickly became one of Dallas’ top wide receivers. He finished the 2025 season with 93 catches for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns.
At various points, Jerry and Stephen Jones have fielded questions about the team’s willingness to re-sign Pickens. The clock is ticking for the Cowboys.
RB Javonte Williams (unrestricted free agent)
Williams is another player who made an immediate impact in Dallas. The Cowboys got the running back at a bargain price, signing him to a one-year deal worth $3 million.
Williams made the most of his stint as Dallas’ RB1, finishing 2025 with 252 carries for a career-high 1,201 yards and 13 total touchdowns.
The veteran running back has an estimated market value of $7.2 million per year, according to Spotrac. Will the Cowboys spend more to keep Williams in Dallas?
Edge Jadeveon Clowney (unrestricted free agent)
While Dallas endured its struggles on defense, Clowney was one of the unit’s standout playmakers. What he accomplished in Dallas was impressive, considering he wasn’t on the roster until September.
He appeared in 12 games for the Cowboys in 2025, posting 41 total tackles, 8.5 sacks, a forced fumble and 11 tackles for loss.
Clowney has said he’d be interested in returning to Dallas. The Cowboys could benefit from his veteran presence on the defensive line.
K Brandon Aubrey (restricted free agent)
Unlike the three players mentioned above, Aubrey will be a restricted free agent.
Aubrey quickly established a reputation as one of the NFL’s top kickers. He has broken several records in Dallas and continued to play at a high level in 2025. He went 36-for-42 from field-goal range this year, making 47-of-48 extra-point attempts.
Jerry Jones has offered thoughts on an Aubrey extension in the past. Will he get a new deal this offseason?
Other unrestricted free agents:
LB Kenneth Murray
S Donovan Wilson
Edge Dante Fowler Jr.
OG Rob Jones
Edge Payton Turner
Edge Sam Williams
LB Jack Sanborn
RB Miles Sanders
WR Jalen Tolbert
CB C.J. Goodwin
OT Hakeem Adeniji
DB Corey Ballentine
Other restricted free agents:
OL T.J. Bass
OL Brock Hoffman
DB Juanyeh Thomas
Exclusive rights free agents:
DB Josh Butler
DB Reddy Steward
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