ORLANDO, Fla. — Micah Parsons might be wearing Green Bay gold these days, but the former Cowboys superstar can’t seem to stay away from his old squad. The headline from Pro Bowl week wasn’t just the golf; it was Parsons, crutches and all, hyping up Dallas kicker Brandon Aubrey with a shout that raised eyebrows across the league: “Sheeeesh! That’s my kicker, baby!”
Pro Bowl Games: The Parsons-Aubrey Connection
While recovering from reconstructive knee surgery, Parsons was spotted at the indoor golf session cheering on Aubrey. The moment sparked instant chatter—is the Packers pass-rusher trying to lure the All-Pro leg to Green Bay?
Here’s the reality check: Aubrey isn’t going anywhere easily.
Reports confirm Dallas is preparing to slap a second-round tender on their restricted free agent. That tag comes with a price tag of roughly $5.7 million for the 2026 season. If another team (like the kicker-needy Packers) wants to sign him to an offer sheet, Dallas can match it. If they decline, they get a second-round pick as compensation. Given Aubrey’s automatic leg, don’t expect Jerry Jones to let him walk.
The $28 Million Question: George Pickens
While the Aubrey situation feels manageable, the George Pickens saga is the real stress test for the front office. The Dallas Morning News reports zero traction on a new long-term deal for the star receiver.
Pickens, coming off a career year in Dallas, is eyeing a massive payday. The front office appears to be cornered into using the franchise tag to keep him off the open market. The cost? A staggering $28 million fully guaranteed for one year. The window to apply the tag opens in two weeks (Feb. 17 to March 3). If they miss it, the standout playmaker hits free agency, and the bidding war will be ugly.
“I would love to [stay]. But when you can’t control it, you kind of just hope for the best… If it’s the best thing for both parties, then I’m willing to do anything. But like I said, I can’t control it, so I just kind of chill.” — George Pickens, on his contract standoff
Draft War Room: The Caleb Downs Heist
The latest buzz from USA Today’s Cowboys Wire suggests Dallas is ready to get aggressive. The target? Ohio State safety Caleb Downs.
In a proposed blockbuster trade, Dallas would vault up the board to snag the premier defender.
The Trade:
Cowboys Get: Picks 1.8, 2.42, 3.73
Saints Get: Picks 1.12, 1.20, 4.112
Downs is widely considered the No. 1 defensive player in the 2026 class but slides due to positional value. Pairing his high-IQ play style with Defensive Coordinator Christian Parker’s scheme could finally fix the secondary woes that plagued Dallas in January.
In Memoriam: Scott Laidlaw
The Cowboys family is mourning the loss of Scott Laidlaw, a key member of the famed “Dirty Dozen” draft class of 1975. Laidlaw passed away on Jan. 29 at age 72. A 14th-round pick who defied the odds to play six NFL seasons, Laidlaw remains a testament to the grit that built the franchise’s legacy.
What’s Next
Keep your eyes on February 17. That’s the first day Dallas can officially tag George Pickens. If that date passes with silence from the front office, panic mode officially begins in Texas.
