Hello everyone,
Welcome to our first mailbag of the offseason. It’s an exciting time because the Cowboys are spending money in free agency and preparing for the NFL draft.
We know you got questions.
We got answers.
Cowboys
i still think the Cowboys should still pursue max crosby what do you think ?
— Matthew Moore (@Matthew8912471) March 16, 2026
Calvin: It seems the Cowboys are out of the Maxx Crosby picture. The team offered two draft picks — a first- and second-rounder — and was willing to take on a bulk of his salary and deal with his knee issues. Now that the Crosby trade with Baltimore fell through, going back at Crosby isn’t in the plans at this stage. Trading for Rashan Gary and focusing on finding another pass rusher in the NFL draft is where the Cowboys sit right now.
Hey Mr Watkins what are your thoughts about Meisdor and would they draft him at 20.
— Randy White (@DeathsChef50) March 16, 2026
Calvin: Randy, this assumption is based on the Cowboys getting a corner or a safety at No. 12 and not trading No. 20 to get a second-rounder or a front-line veteran starter. We do like Akheem Mesidor (Miami) because he’s got the size — 6-3, 259 pounds — to play off the edge. I wonder if T.J. Parker (Clemson) is a better fit at No. 20, assuming he’s around. Getting a defensive end or an outside linebacker for the 3-4 is a must for a defense that’s rebuilding.
Calvin: Great question. For now, it’s Joe Milton. The signing of Sam Howell creates competition for Dak Prescott’s backup. Milton has tremendous upside, but Howell’s 17 starts are difficult to ignore. It’s clear Milton didn’t do enough last season to give the team confidence he can win a few games if Prescott goes down with injury. Howell didn’t play last year and has bounced around a little bit, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be relied on if he’s needed to start a game. It seems the Cowboys will go with at least three quarterbacks, and Howell could definitely challenge for the No. 2 gig. But Milton seems to be the favorite to retain the backup job because of his arm strength and the ability to use his legs to move the offense.
Have you heard anything from Pickens or his team. About him playing under the tag.
— JJ (@JJTorLetsGo) March 16, 2026
Calvin: At this stage, George Pickens will play under the franchise tag of $27.2 million. The Cowboys and Pickens’ agent haven’t exchanged any contract offers to merit progress toward a new deal. Jerry Jones has offered that Pickens is happy to be a Cowboy, but hasn’t indicated if Pickens is cool with the franchise tag. There’s an expectation that Pickens and the Cowboys will go head-to-head this summer to get him into training camp on time. That’s a gamble. If Pickens doesn’t show up for the offseason program or is late to camp or conducts a hold-in, this whole feel-good story with Pickens falls apart. You could say it’s difficult to ignore a $27.2 million one-year fully guaranteed deal. But Pickens wants a long-term deal, and 2025 brought lots of career-bests for him in a contract year. So, yes, Pickens deserves a new long-term deal. Whether he gets it this summer is uncertain, given the lack of progress in contract talks. The Cowboys have held contract talks with Brandon Aubrey and Javonte Williams, two of their free agents, this offseason. Williams is secured with a deal, and despite contract discussions with Aubrey’s agent, no deal has been reached. The Cowboys have placed a second-round tender ($5.767 million) on Aubrey, making him the third-highest-paid kicker in the league, despite an offer on the table (just under $7 million) to make him the highest-paid kicker in the history of the game.
When it comes to Pickens, no talks have occurred. So make your own opinion as to why that is.
Are we going to trade for a vet war daddy like Kayvon thibodeaux or Josh sweat
— Tyrone Church (@TyGodSon24) March 16, 2026
Calvin: It’s doubtful the Giants will trade one of their best pass rushers within the NFC East, and Josh Sweat from Arizona is coming off a career year with 12 sacks. Sweat’s size — 6-5, 265 pounds — would look good with a star on his helmet. But Arizona is poised to keep him and a trade rumor was rejected by his teammate, linebacker Mack Wilson Sr., on social media. The Cowboys will find their next star pass rusher in the NFL draft, unless a trade works.
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