Priority cowboy contract negotiations: Who's the next All-Pro Defensive Back DaRon Bland's pay grade after being addressed?
The Dallas Cowboys are gearing up for the 2025 season with a focus on securing key players through contract extensions. Among the potential candidates for these deals are left guard Tyler Smith, kicker Brandon Aubrey, and wide receiver George Pickens.
Tyler Smith, who is now the leader of the Cowboys offensive line following the offseason retirements of Zack Martin and Tyron Smith, is likely next in line to be financially secured. Re-signing Smith will require resetting the interior offensive lineman market, surpassing Trey Smith's $94 million extension with the Kansas City Chiefs. Smith's impressive performance on the field has solidified his position as a vital player for the Cowboys.
Brandon Aubrey, who is entering the final year of his current deal in 2025 with a salary of $1.03 million, has been a consistent performer for the team. Last season, Aubrey ended as the NFL's season leader in made field goals, converting on 36 of his 38 attempts. He made his first 35 field goals in a row in his rookie season in 2023, shattering an NFL record. An Aubrey extension projection is 4 years, $27 million. With his impressive track record, the Cowboys are keen on securing his services for the long term.
George Pickens, acquired from the Pittsburgh Steelers in a trade in May, is another player the Cowboys are interested in re-signing. Over the last two seasons, Pickens averaged an NFL-best 16.7 yards per reception. If re-signed, Pickens could be locked down for a 3-year, $58 million deal. Pickens comes from an offense that struggled to find consistency at quarterback, but his talent and potential make him a valuable asset for the Cowboys.
The Cowboys have a deadline to do deals before the upcoming 2025 season. They have already re-signed CeeDee Lamb, Jake Ferguson, and DaRon Bland. However, the departure of Micah Parsons, who was shockingly traded away, has left a significant gap that the team is eager to fill.
ESPN's survey of NFL coaches, scouts, and executives voted Smith as the league's second-best interior offensive lineman. With the 2025 season about to begin, the Cowboys are aiming to financially secure players like Smith who play vital roles on the team, following recent high-profile contract negotiation challenges such as the Micah Parsons situation. The Cowboys are committed to building a strong team for the future, and these contract extensions are a key part of that strategy.
