Stephen Jones is leaving the door open to trading 1st round picks this offseason

Most recently, the CEO of the Cowboys Stephen Jones has released a revelation about Brandon Aubrey’s ‘journey’ contract negotiations. Jones noted that talks with the standout player began before last season, but reaching a consensus proved difficult.

He described the negotiation process as a journey in which the sides did not reach a point of agreement, although the intent remains to keep the elite special teams weapons in Dallas.

Aubrey provides tremendous value by providing scores from nearly 70 yards, but the lack of a deal brings back memories of the Mikay Parsons saga, which led to a trade that left the 2025 roster depleted.

The front office is now looking at all options to improve a defense that needs a major overhaul this spring. In a recent video shared by Calvin Watkins on X, Jones emphasized that the team is maintained open mind to any potential trade offers that might arise as the draft approaches their first round pick.

Stephen Jones said the Cowboys are open to trading one of their first-round picks. pic.twitter.com/2cum2FZg5e

— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) February 23, 2026

This willingness to discuss moving the top pick underscores Dallas’ urgency to avoid another losing campaign. By potentially trading a first-rounder, the team could address current holes that became glaringly obvious during a disappointing 2025 season.

The decision to franchise George Pickens was also confirmed by Stephen Jones after rushing for over 1,400 yards and nine scores in his first year with the team. Pickens proved indispensable CeeDee Lamb. Jones made it clear that while they are thinking about him, there is no timeline for a long-term extension.

Instead, the franchise tag will keep him under contract through 2026. While this secures a key playmaker, the team’s history of trading stars suggests the tag is just a placeholder in a highly unpredictable environment.

The coming months will determine if the Cowboys can truly return to contention. With the tag deadline and the draft looming, the organization must decide whether to continue waiting until the last minute to sign key players.

The Cowboys can navigate these contractual hurdles while using trade assets to shore up the defense and could finally end their playoff drought. As the 2026 offseason accelerates, the pressure to deliver a winning roster remains high.