Cowboys predicted to cut ties with George Pickens, land $96 million Raiders star in three team trade

It’s no secret that George Pickens would love nothing more than to sign a lucrative contract extension with the Dallas Cowboys after a breakout 2025-26 campaign. 

The 25-year-old star wide receiver was Dak Prescott’s go-to target last season, finishing the year with a team-leading 93 receptions, 1,429 yards, and nine touchdowns. Unfortunately for Pickens, Dallas has proven far more interested in using the franchise tag on the Georgia product than in offering a significant multi-year contract, which has unsurprisingly led to trade rumors. 

Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox believes there’s a realistic scenario where the Cowboys could cut ties with Pickens in favor of Las Vegas Raiders superstar defender.

“According to ESPN's Ryan McFadden, the Dallas Cowboys made three separate offers for (Maxx) Crosby, though none were enough to elicit action from the Raiders,” Knox wrote Wednesday.

“In this deal (Crosby and Calvin Ridley to the Cowboys, Pickens to the Titans, and a 2027 Cowboys first-round pick, a Cowboys 2027 fifth-round pick, a Titans’ 2027 second-round pick, and Elic Ayomanor to the Raiders), the Cowboys would cough up first- and fifth-round picks, along with wide receiver George Pickens.” 

“Pickens had a spectacular 2025 campaign in Dallas but is now set to play on the franchise tag and isn't expected to receive an extension from the Cowboys."

"So, Dallas would flip Pickens to the Titans, who would pair him with Wan'Dale Robinson and rookie Carnell Tate to give second-year quarterback Cam Ward a strong long-term receiving trio.”

The Cowboys’ interest in Crosby is well-documented, but it’s clear that acquiring the five-time Pro Bowl edge rusher will be far from simple. Crosby, whose unique blend of speed, power, and high-level instincts makes him a dynamic quarterback hunter, will likely begin the 2026-27 campaign with the Raiders. 

If the year begins on a sour note for Las Vegas, though, it isn’t far-fetched to suggest the 73-tackle and 10-sack stud could be on the move. Needless to say, the Cowboys’ pass-rushing attack would be among the best in the league with Crosby in the equation. 

Moving on, Pickens would be a major blow to Dallas' offense, though, which is something the NFC East will have to take into account in future trade talks for Crosby.

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