Dallas Cowboys Mailbag: Trade-deadline plans and Pickens’ status
The Dallas Cowboys likely will not make a major trade before the Tuesday deadline, according to a Mailbag column published Nov. 10, 2026 by DallasCowboys.com staff writers Nick Eatman and Kurt Daniels. Both writers said an earth-shaking deal seems improbable, noting the club already made a notable earlier addition. Eatman and Daniels addressed questions about roster needs and whether wide receiver George Pickens might be moved before the deadline.
Eatman wrote that if the Cowboys do anything it likely would not be a blockbuster and that the club already delivered a significant move earlier in the season by acquiring cornerback Joey Porter Jr. He added that Porter has not been consistently available because of health but has played well when on the field. Eatman identified defensive end pass rush as the most probable target if Dallas pursues any additions, while tight end would be the primary offensive area to consider.
Daniels focused on the question of trading Pickens and said such a move appears unlikely for several reasons. He noted owner and general manager Jerry Jones has publicly said the team is not interested in moving Pickens and highlighted that Pickens is playing on the franchise tag, which prevents a new club from negotiating a long-term contract with him until after the season. Daniels wrote that those factors make Pickens a risky short-term rental and reduce the market for him unless an acquiring team views him as the final piece for a championship push.
Daniels also observed that the Cowboys have limited draft capital to work with next year and have only four selections in the upcoming draft, which constrains their ability to trade for proven help without depleting future resources. He said Dallas has used draft picks in prior deals and suggested the front office may be reluctant to sacrifice more, especially with head coach Brian Schottenheimer saying he is comfortable with the current roster. Both writers concluded that Dallas will likely stand pat but will be responsive if compelling calls arrive.
NFL Sports Blog Take
The Mailbag assessment reinforces that pass rush remains the most-discussed short-term need for the Dallas Cowboys and that George Pickens is the likeliest bargaining chip but also the most complicated asset to move. Pickens’ franchise-tag status and public statements from ownership reduce the odds of a trade unless a team offers top-tier draft compensation, which the Cowboys may be reluctant to surrender given their limited picks. The earlier acquisition of Joey Porter Jr. figures into the evaluation, providing the Cowboys with a notable roster upgrade already in place. Expect Dallas to prioritize roster balance and future flexibility over pursuing a high-cost deadline swing unless a clear, championship-caliber opportunity presents itself.