Cowboys Headlines: Pickens smart to bet on self; Romo bombs latest U.S. Open bid

[ASFN Admin]

With one stroke of the pen, both George Pickens and the Dallas Cowboys feel like they've won. Now that the franchise tag is official, the team keeps their dynamic duo at WR together for another year. For Pickens, the mission is clear: ball out in 2026 and reap even more rewards in 2027. He's already earned a giant raise playing on the tag this season; another dynamite year could easily jack up his price tag next offseason by $10 million.

The reality of the new Dallas defense is sinking in. In today's headlines, we hear more about the off-the-charts football IQ of safety Caleb Downs, and one of the franchise greats says he's the one who's honored by comparisons to the future star. Yep, it's the start of something special for Christian Parker's unit, and a look at the newcomers to the unit is starting to paint a fuller picture of what fans (and opposing offenses) can expect.

Elsewhere, the club may have sent a message on draft weekend that has Tyler Guyton breathing easier, we learn Dee Winters wasn't the linebacker Dallas really wanted to trade for, and Tony Romo falls short in his latest bid at winning it all.

Looking around the league, could Trevon Diggs find a home with the Jets? The Ravens may already be believers in Diego Pavia, news of a second surgery for Bo Nix has the Broncos quarterback in the spotlight, and one of the NFL's good guys- four-time All-Pro and three-time Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee Justin Simmons- calls it a career 10 years to the day after he was drafted.

Dallas Cowboys Top Headlines​

• Cowboys WR George Pickens makes it official, signs franchise tag :: Cowboys Wire (Link)
• Why it benefits both George Pickens & the Cowboys to play under the franchise tag :: Yahoo Sports (Link)
• Caleb Downs 'is a football savant'; Cowboys exec gushes about new star :: Cowboys Wire (Link)
• Darren Woodson "honored" with the Caleb Downs comparisons :: DallasCowboys.com (Link)
• Got that dog in 'em? Cowboys look to build defensive roster of bullies :: Cowboys Wire (Link)
• How Cowboys’ draft picks offer insight into Christian Parker’s defensive vision :: Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Link)
• Telling Tale: 5 of the Cowboys’ 2025 Def starters remain unemployed :: Cowboys Wire (Link)
• One Dallas Cowboys player who just dodged a major draft-day bullet :: SI.com (Link)
• Cowboys undrafted rookie free agents: Who is most likely to find a roster spot? :: The Athletic (Link)
• Report: Cowboys tried to trade for Texans' Pro Bowl LB before Dee Winters deal :: Cowboys Wire (Link)
• 3 burning questions hanging over Cowboys as offseason workouts begin :: Cowboys Wire (Link)
• Ex-Cowboys QB Tony Romo fails to advance in U.S. Open qualifying :: ESPN (Link)

Updates from Free Agency & 2026 Rookie Class​

• Best NFL team fits for notable remaining free agents: Deebo Samuel to Chargers? Trevon Diggs to Jets? :: NFL.com (Link)
• Jesse Minter: Diego Pavia was a “force multiplier” at Vanderbilt, will come in with a clean slate :: ProFootballTalk (Link)
• Brandon Aiyuk remains in limbo. How did we get here, and what comes next? :: The Athletic (Link)

News & Headlines from Around the NFL​

• 'My heart, my home, my story': All-Pro safety Justin Simmons announces retirement from NFL, reflects on Broncos' tenure :: DenverBroncos.com (Link)
• NFL Network: Texans, LB Azeez Al-Shaair agree to terms on three-year, $54 million extension :: NFL.com (Link)
• Broncos quarterback Bo Nix has a 2nd procedure on his surgically-repaired right ankle :: Denver7 (Link)

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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys News: George Pickens' big bet; Tony Romo bombs U.S. Open bid

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