Last May, the Dallas Cowboys took a big swing-and connected-when they pulled off a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers to bring in wide receiver George Pickens. At the time, it raised some eyebrows.
Now? It looks like one of the best moves the franchise has made in recent memory.
Pickens didn’t just fit into the Cowboys’ offense-he exploded. The third-year wideout posted career highs across the board: 93 catches, 1,429 yards, and nine touchdowns.
He led the team in every major receiving category, earned his first Pro Bowl nod, and was named a Second-Team All-Pro. In short, he delivered exactly what Dallas needed-a true No. 1 receiver who could stretch the field and command attention from opposing defenses.
But while Pickens was carving up secondaries and giving Dak Prescott a reliable deep threat, the Cowboys’ defense was unraveling. And that’s putting it lightly.
Despite the offensive firepower, Dallas stumbled through a season where the defense consistently let them down. The unit finished 30th in total yards allowed (377.0 per game) and dead last in points allowed (30.1 per game).
For a team with legitimate playoff aspirations, those numbers aren’t just disappointing-they’re damning.
Now, with over 20 players on the roster headed for some form of free agency, Dallas has some tough decisions to make. Pickens is among those whose contract status needs addressing.
The franchise tag is very much on the table, but a long-term extension could also be in play. That situation will unfold over time, but one thing is clear: the Cowboys can’t afford to lose their top offensive weapon.
That said, while keeping the offense intact is important, the real priority this offseason has to be fixing the defense. Enter new defensive coordinator Christian Parker, who inherits a unit in desperate need of a reset. And according to Bobby Belt of 105.3 The Fan, part of that reset could involve another call to Pittsburgh-this time, to ask about edge rusher Nick Herbig.
Herbig might not be a household name yet, but he’s quietly become one of the more intriguing young pass rushers in the league. A fourth-round pick in 2023, he hasn’t started many games-just 11 over three seasons-but he’s made the most of his opportunities.
This past year, despite playing only 60% of the Steelers’ defensive snaps, Herbig notched 7.5 sacks. That was second on the team, trailing only Alex Highsmith’s 9.5 and notably ahead of T.J.
Watt’s 7.0 sacks, even though Herbig played 202 fewer snaps than Watt.
That kind of production on limited reps raises eyebrows-and expectations. And it’s no secret that Herbig wants more. Reports suggest he’s made it clear he’s ready for a starting role, something that might not be available in Pittsburgh but could very well be in Dallas.
With Dante Fowler Jr. headed for free agency and Jadeveon Clowney’s future uncertain, the Cowboys have at least one edge spot up for grabs. Donovan Ezeiruaku looks poised to take one side, but the other could be wide open-especially if the team wants to add a younger, more cost-effective option with upside.
Herbig fits that mold perfectly. He’s still on his rookie deal, and for 2026, he’d count just $1.31 million against the cap.
That’s a bargain for a player who’s already shown he can get after the quarterback. The only real cost would be whatever draft pick Dallas would need to part with to make the deal happen-and as long as it’s not a premium selection, that’s a price worth considering.
The Cowboys already struck gold once with a trade from Pittsburgh. If Herbig is truly available-and if he’s ready to take the next step as a full-time starter-Dallas might want to pick up the phone again. Because for a defense that needs help now, this could be a low-risk, high-reward move that pays off in a big way.