The Cowboys have 22 free agents, but if push came to shove, who is one that the franchise simply can't allow to walk away?
The Dallas Cowboys and their free agents often aren't the best of duos.
But this offseason could be different.
In total, 22 free agents means the Dallas front office has to sift through the wreckage of the 2025 season and figure out who they want to retain.
For me? It's easy to pick 4 or 5 and say goodbye to the rest.
Of course, we know that it isn't that easy.
But as Jerry Jones, Stephen Jones, Brian Schottenheimer, and his staff sit down at The Star, who is the No. 1 priority for Dallas to re-sign?
Granted, this is subjective, but there are a handful of candidates.
Jadeveon Clowney, Javonte Williams, Brandon Aubrey, and George Pickens are my top four the franchise has to re-sign.
The process includes some major decisions and some easy ones ... like what's being discussed regarding Aubrey.
So, who is the priority?
Let's go through them.
Clowney:
Finishing as the Cowboys' sack-leader with 8.5, Jadeveon proved that if used in a limited capacity, he can be a key weapon for the Cowboys' defense.
Wanting to play on in 2026 and get his future sorted before the offseason begins, so he can get a full training camp under his belt, Clowney should be at the front of mind for the Cowboys.
Dallas views him as a bit-part player; Jadeveon likely wants to be a starter.
The franchise has to find a happy medium and bring the pass rusher back.
Aubrey:
The offense relied far too heavily on "Butter" to bail them out in 2025.
But there's no denying that Brandon is a serious weapon for the Cowboys. Often needing to get a little over midfield before getting into Aubrey's range, the Cowboys need his right leg.
He had the third-most field goal attempts in football (42), and made 36 of them.
The Cowboys' offense would lose some fear factor if Aubrey moved on.
Our Mike Fisher has suggested that Aubrey will get a new deal of four years and $26.4 million. But maybe before we get there?
ESPN’s Todd Archer noted that Aubrey is “likely” to receive the second-round tender given that he is a restricted free agent.
That is projected to be about $6 million
That's a start. It won't bust the budget. Get it done.
Williams:
The reason the Cowboys had a viable run game in 2025 was Javonte's 1,201 yards and 11 TDs.
His bruising and powerful running style won over Cowboys Nation from the outset.
Able to shoulder a heavy load, Williams needs a suitable backup in 2026.
The new multi-year contract that the Cowboys COO wants to sign him to shouldn't break the bank; say an $8 million APY offer should be enough to retain him.
Many point to Pickens as a big reason for Dallas' offensive success, but Williams, in my mind, had just as much to do with it.
Pickens:
Over 1,400 receiving yards and nine TDs from 93 receptions. Pickens was a demon in 2025.
Coming to Dallas with a lot of baggage, it is fair to suggest that George left most of it in Pittsburgh.
What he did for Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb was superb. Defenses didn't know which weapon to cover, and that meant someone was always open.
If the Cowboys move on from Pickens, it would leave Lamb and then Ryan Flournoy as your top two weapons.
The fear factor would be gone.
Even if it is the franchise tag, Pickens has to stay around.
Who is the top priority?
If it were me, it would go in this order: Pickens, Aubrey, Williams, and Clowney.
All four "should" return for Schottenheimer, and the deals feel straightforward.
Let's see how many do in fact, stick around.