The Cowboys, for once, don't have a big contract dilemma dominating the headlines, and it isn't just fans who are surprised.
If you want to see how things have changed for the Dallas Cowboys this offseason, you can look at any number of developments.
From the coaching search that led Dallas to Christian Parker, to the loosening of the purse strings in free agency, to the contracts that have already been signed, sealed, and delivered. It's all different.
But for me, the biggest "plus" is that, at least right now, there is no contract drama hanging over the organization's head.
Last year, it was Micah Parsons. The year prior was CeeDee Lamb, and the year before that was Dak Prescott.
This year? None. Javonte Williams, Brandon Aubrey, and George Pickens (for now) all have their futures sorted.
That is a breath of fresh air for fans, but as it turns out, for one NFL executive, it's surprising that the Pickens contract saga has played out the way it has.
"I'm kind of surprised it didn't get ugly this offseason. I understand the character stuff, but he produced at a ridiculous level last year," the executive said via ESPN. "If he does it again, then he can hold their feet to the fire a little more. And they still have to be willing to hold that franchise tag number on their [2027] books, which isn't always easy."
With Pickens set to make $27.3 million in 2026 on the tag, barring an extension, which Dallas has already stated it won't do, what next offseason looks like is rather interesting.
Some think that 2026 will be Pickens' last in Dallas, as the price it would cost to keep him is simply too expensive when you already have Dak and CeeDee making top of, or near the top of the market at their positions.
If the Cowboys did tag Pickens in 2027, it would cost them $32.6 million. That's a lot of money, but it is still well under market value...even this season.
So if Pickens has another superb season in Dallas, I'd imagine that next offseason, his contract status won't exactly be headline news because it could be seen league-wide as too expensive to keep him around.
Of course, it might not and Dallas might surprise us, and sign him long-term.
But there appears to be a desire from both sides to be together in 2026, and the smooth offseason is evidence of that.
However, what will 2027 bring?
That, my friends, is the $36 million question.
