George Pickens’ future with the Dallas Cowboys was the story of July, but has largely been out of the news since he signed his franchise tender and showed up for the first day of training camp with a smile on his face.
But there’s still a bigger issue to be resolved. Can Dallas keep him and CeeDee Lamb together in 2027 and stay under the salary cap? Vice President Stephen Jones isn’t so sure; he said so, and now Pickens is back in the news.
Will Dallas bring back quarterback Joe Milton? That’s unknown, but the newly minted QB2 Sam Howell has reason to feel good about his new job title. With the countdown to the regular season rolling, here is what Dallas is doing.
Dallas Cowboys rumors. What prognosticator has Dallas going 14-3?
George Pickens future with Cowboys is complicated
What could have been one of the most contentious stories of the offseason for the Dallas Cowboys mostly wasn’t, as receiver George Pickens accepted a one-year franchise tag, never considered holding out, and then had a strong training camp that, if anything, has increased his value heading into the 2026 season.
The Cowboys being the Cowboys, though, Jones had to manufacture some drama, and vice president Stephen Jones, son of Jerry, did just that in a podcast interview with DLLS Cowboys, where he hinted that the team couldn’t keep Pickens and CeeDee Lamb together next season because of the finances.
”I don't know of any teams that really can pay two top receivers (at the) top of the market," Jones told DLLS without being asked about Pickens and CeeDee Lamb. "So you know, that's going to be a real difficult situation as we move forward. We've managed to figure out how we can do it for this year. Certainly, if everything works out the way we think it is, (where) CeeDee and George both have huge years again, then it'll be a bigger challenge next year."
He also acknowledged the difficulties ahead.
“George is really wanting to put back-to-back years on top of one another, so it'll help his market," Stephen Jones said on DLLS Cowboys. "Certainly, I know at some point, as does every player in this league, he'll want to be rewarded with a long-term contract. So that certainly puts pressure on us to have a unique situation there at wide receiver."
Sam Howell settles in as QB2
The Dallas Cowboys backup quarterback saga is still in the news three days after Dallas’ surprising waiving of Joe Milton III, who cleared waivers and could end up on any practice squad in the league, including the Cowboys’. As of Wednesday, Sept. 2, that still hasn’t happened, and regardless of how that plays out, Sam Howell is now ensconced as QB2.
Coach Brian Schottenheimer addressed the media on the decision, saying, “I think when we looked at the whole body of work, we just felt like Sam had done a little bit more in terms of executing the offense in certain areas," Schottenheimer said.
"To have Joe Milton back would be incredible. We'll see what happens with the claims, and then see what he wants to do. We've shown that we know how to develop him. I think him being in this system for another year would be amazing, but I also know that he should have choices. And so, we'll see what happens, but in terms of wanting (Milton) back, absolutely."
Howell, meanwhile, is grateful for the opportunity.
”Obviously, extremely excited to be a part of this team and be a part of this organization," Howell told DallasCowboys.com. "It's been a lot of hard work, and the work doesn't stop now. I'm committed to this team and I'm going to try to find ways to help this team win, and that's my job, and I'm excited to be here for sure."
The fifth-year pro said he got better this past August.
”It's never about the other person, it's about trying to be the best version of yourself and setting a high standard for yourself and trying to be the best you can be," Howell told DallasCowboys.com. "It's never about looking over your shoulder or anything like that, it's 'How can I get better?...'
"It was fun, good competition and I feel like I got better from it. I think Joe would say the same. And obviously, a lot of respect for Joe. Joe's a great player and an extremely talented guy, and all he's done is got better. So obviously wishing Joe the best of luck, not sure if he's coming back, but Joe's journey is not over, that's for sure."
Emari Demercado ready for fresh start
Other than the waiving of quarterback Joe Milton, another big surprise was Dallas parting ways with 2025 draft picks Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah at running back. Blue has since been picked up by the Philadelphia Eagles. While that was going on San Francisco waived Emari Demercado, who then was snapped up by Dallas to serve as the third tailback behind Javonte Williams and Malik Davis.
Demercado, a 27-year-old beginning his fourth season, was an undrafted free agent out of TCU in 2023 so this is a homecoming of sorts for a back who had 312 rushing yards with a 7.1 per-carry average last season with some receptions and kick returns mixed in.
He is happy to be back in the Metroplex for several reasons.
“Yeah, it's been a roller coaster," he told DallasCowboys.com. "Getting cut — nobody's excited about that, but to get the call that I was coming back here, I just bought a house here this summer, so I couldn't have written it better."
This is also a reunion with offensive coordinator Klayton Adams, who coached him at Arizona in 2023 and ‘24. That familiarity was one reason Dallas signed him
“Klay's my guy," he told DallasCowboys.com. "As soon as my agent called me and told me it was Dallas, I just immediately thought about Klayton. And then he called me. I'm super excited to work with him again.
"… His run game is unbelievable. He's proven it time and time again. So to be a part of that again, I'm excited. His track record is proven. … I'm glad I got this opportunity."
Dallas Cowboys 2026-27 schedule
REGULAR SEASON
Week 1 Sun, Sept. 13 at New York Giants 6:20 p.m. MT/7:20 p.m. CT, NBC
Week 2 Sun, Sept. 20 vs. Washington Commanders 2:25 p.m. MT/3:25 p.m. CT, FOX
Week 3 Sun, Sept 27 vs. Baltimore Ravens (at Rio) 2:25 p.m. MT/3:25 p.m. CT, CBS
Week 4 Sun, Oct 4 at Houston Texans 11 a.m. MT/noon CT, FOX
Week 5 Thu, Oct 8 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6:15 p.m. MT/7:15 p.m. CT, Amazon Prime Video
Week 6 Sun, Oct 18 at Green Bay Packers 6:20 p.m. MT/7:20 p.m. CT, NBC
Week 7 Mon, Oct 26 at Philadelphia Eagles 6:15 PM ESPN
Week 8 Sun, Nov 1 vs. Arizona Cardinals 11 a.m. MT/noon CT, FOX
Week 9 Sun, Nov 8 at Indianapolis Colts 11 a.m. MT/noon CT, FOX
Week 10 Sun, Nov 15 vs. San Francisco 49ers 2:25 p.m. MT/3:25 p.m., FOX
Week 11 Sun, Nov 22 vs. Tennessee Titans 11 a.m. MT/noon CT, FOX
Week 12 Thu, Nov 26 vs. Philadelphia Eagles 2:30 p.m. MT/3:30 p.m. CT, FOX
Week 13 Mon, Dec 7 at Seattle Seahawks 6:15 p.m. MT/7:15 p.m. CT ESPN
Week 14 BYE
Week 15 Sun, Dec 20 at Los Angeles Rams 2:25 p.m. MT/3:25 p.m. CT, CBS
Week 16 Sun, Dec 27 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars 6:20 p.m. MT/7:20 p.m., NBC
Week 17 Sun, Jan 3 vs. New York Giants 11 a.m. MT/noon CT, FOX
Week 18 Sun, Jan 10 at Washington Commanders TBD
Dallas Cowboys tickets 2026
Seat Geek is the official partner of the Dallas Cowboys, so this is where to get official tickets. The Cowboys are also offering packages for the Week 3 game in Rio de Janeiro against the Ravens, ranging from $1,200 to $5,750. That doesn't include airfare, and the cheap rate doesn't include a hotel.
Other places to buy tickets, which will be more expensive but with a much larger selection than the official tickets, include StubHub, TicketMaster and Vivid Seats. Those sites also offer tickets for away games.
Bret Bloomquist can be reached, bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on X.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Why is George Pickens back in the news? A Jones just put him there
