The Dallas Cowboys had an elite offense this season that defenses had a hard time dealing with — that much was reflected when the NFC’s Pro Bowl roster was announced on December 23.
Five Cowboys were selected to the Pro Bowl, led by quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver George Pickens, who was selected to his first Pro Bowl in his first season with the Cowboys.
Also selected to the Pro Bowl from the Cowboys were offensive guard Tyler Smith, kicker Brandon Aubrey and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams.
Williams was obtained in a trade with the New York Jets on November 4.
“Philadelphia Eagles cornerbacks Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell, New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez, Dallas Cowboys receiver George Pickens, Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane and a trio of Denver Broncos linemen are among the first-time Pro Bowl selections for the 2026 rosters, as announced by the league Tuesday,” The Athletic’s Jayna Bardahl wrote on December 23.
Pickens Has Breakout Season With Cowboys
No NFL player has increased his value in free agency in the 2026 cycle more than Pickens, who was obtained in exchange for a third round pick in a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Pickens, who was dealt after a series of behavior issues soured the Steelers on him, had a breakout season with Dallas in 2025 and showed he could be one of the NFL’s elite players at his position.
In the final year of his 4-year, $6.7 million rookie contract, Pickens has career highs across the board and is third in the NFL in receiving with 88 receptions for 1,342 yards and 9 touchdowns.
While the Cowboys could very well use a franchise tag on Pickens that would pay him approximately $29 million in 2026, Spotrac projects he could receive something in the neighborhood of a 4-year, $122.8 million contract in free agency.
Those aren’t numbers the Cowboys could probably make work.
“The Dallas Cowboys were officially eliminated from postseason contention following Week 16, staring down a 2026 offseason full of more than a few big decisions,” Spotrac’s Michael Ginnitti wrote on September 21. “The Cowboys currently have $362.8M (a league high) allocated to their 2026 salary cap table. This leaves Dallas about $36M over a projected $304M salary cap threshold (when factoring in rollover space from the 2025 season) — a league low.”
Prescott Shows NFL He’s Still Elite QB
Aside from Pickens, no one had more to prove on the Cowboys roster than Prescott in 2025 after he missed the final 10 games of the 2024 season with a hamstring injury which eventually required surgery.
That Prescott got hurt after he became the highest paid player in NFL history for the second time in his career with a 4-year, $240 million contract only amped up the pressure.
In 2025, Prescott is second in the NFL in passing with 4,175 yards, 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions through 15 games — just 4 yards behind leading NFL MVP candidate and Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford.
“This could’ve been the darkest season in Dallas Cowboys history,” Cowboys superfan Dak Muse wrote on their official X account. “But, Dak Prescott showed up, he elevated as a leader, was statistically a top 3 QB, held this team together, didn’t complain when he had every reason to complain. Thank you, 4.”
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