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Cowboys Star Lamb: Trade or Keep Pickens?
3 Jun
Summary
- Dallas faces a tough choice between Lamb and Pickens.
- Pickens is playing under the franchise tag in 2026.
- A Lamb trade would save Dallas $29 million cap space.

The Dallas Cowboys are navigating complex financial decisions regarding their star wide receivers, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. As quarterback Dak Prescott occupies a substantial portion of the salary cap, the team faces the potential challenge of retaining two highly-paid pass catchers.
George Pickens is currently playing under the franchise tag for the 2026 season. This situation fuels speculation about the team's future strategy, particularly concerning CeeDee Lamb, who commands an annual salary of $34 million.
Speculation suggests Dallas may eventually need to choose between committing significant long-term funds to Pickens or trading Lamb. A hypothetical post-June 1 trade involving Lamb in 2027 could result in approximately $17 million in dead money but also generate about $29 million in cap savings for the Cowboys.
Despite these financial considerations, there are no current indications that Dallas is actively exploring trade options for Lamb. He remains a vital piece of the team's offense, known for his consistent production and leadership, making any potential move a significant reshaping of the team's offensive strategy.