The Green Bay Packers officially saw their 2025 season come to an end Saturday night, as a wild card loss to the Chicago Bears closed the door on any postseason hopes.

With that defeat, clarity has finally emerged regarding one of the most closely monitored draft assets in the league, the first round pick now belonging to the Dallas Cowboys.

The Cowboys acquired that selection as part of the blockbuster trade that sent superstar linebacker Micah Parsons to Green Bay, a deal that continues to reshape both franchises.

In addition to the 2026 first round pick, Dallas also secured Green Bay’s 2027 first rounder and veteran defensive lineman Kenny Clark, creating a massive long term draft haul.

Now that Green Bay has been eliminated in the opening round of the playoffs, the placement of that 2026 first round pick has officially been locked in.

According to Tankathon, the Packers’ pick that now belongs to Dallas will fall at No. 20 overall in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Importantly, the outcome of the remaining playoff games this weekend will not affect that positioning, removing any lingering uncertainty surrounding the selection.

Green Bay entered the postseason with the second worst regular season record among playoff teams, placing them on the fringe of the top twenty even before kickoff.

The only playoff team with a worse regular season record was the Carolina Panthers, who were also eliminated, securing the No. 19 overall pick.

With both teams knocked out in the wild card round, the draft order for those slots is now fully cemented.

For Dallas, that clarity represents a significant milestone, as the franchise can now begin detailed draft and trade planning with firm positional certainty.

Alongside Green Bay’s No. 20 pick, the Cowboys will also retain their own first round selection, which currently sits at No. 12 overall.

Possessing two first round picks within the top twenty places Dallas in a position of unusual leverage relative to the rest of the league.

Few teams enter an offseason with that level of flexibility, particularly one already equipped with a competitive roster and established stars.

The contrast is stark on the other side of the trade, where Green Bay finds itself without a first round pick entirely in 2026.

Instead, the Packers are left to hope that the long term benefits of acquiring Parsons justify the short term and future costs.

That calculus becomes even more complicated when factoring in Parsons’ current injury status heading into the offseason.

The All Pro linebacker suffered a torn ACL in Week 15, casting doubt over his availability for the start of the 2026 campaign.

While modern recovery timelines have improved significantly, ACL injuries still introduce uncertainty, especially for players whose games rely on explosive lateral movement.

For Green Bay, that means entering the offseason without a first round pick and with questions surrounding the health of the very player they paid such a steep price to acquire.

Meanwhile, Dallas can afford patience, using the draft capital acquired in the trade to either aggressively pursue elite talent or build long term depth.

With picks at No. 12 and No. 20, the Cowboys are exceptionally well positioned to execute a blockbuster trade during the offseason.

That could involve packaging both first round selections to move up into the top five, should a franchise quarterback or blue chip prospect become available.

Alternatively, Dallas could use one of the picks to acquire a proven veteran player, addressing immediate needs without sacrificing future competitiveness.

There is also a strong possibility the Cowboys simply stand pat and make both selections, injecting two high end rookies into the roster on cost controlled contracts.

That option would align with a long term roster building philosophy focused on sustainability rather than splash.

The presence of two first round picks also provides insulation against risk, allowing Dallas to diversify rather than concentrate their investment.

From a front office perspective, this flexibility is invaluable, especially as contract negotiations loom for several core players.

Draft capital can be used not only to add talent, but also to manage the salary cap by offsetting veteran costs with rookie deals.

As the offseason progresses, league executives will closely monitor Dallas as one of the teams most capable of reshaping the draft landscape.

Every phone call, rumor, and mock draft will likely feature the Cowboys prominently due to their enviable asset position.

The Packers, by contrast, face a more constrained offseason, forced to operate without first round ammunition.

They must rely on later picks, internal development, and strategic free agent signings to address roster deficiencies.

That reality adds pressure to the Parsons trade, as Green Bay must now maximize value from every remaining resource.

The absence of a first round pick also limits Green Bay’s ability to move up the board or respond aggressively to draft day opportunities.

Meanwhile, Dallas can dictate terms rather than react, a powerful advantage in an increasingly competitive league environment.

As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, the Cowboys’ war chest will be a central talking point across league media.

The draft itself is scheduled to take place in Pittsburgh from April 23 through April 25, a setting expected to draw massive attention.

Between now and then, front office strategy, scouting evaluations, and medical assessments will shape Dallas’ ultimate approach.

The Cowboys will weigh positional needs against draft value, market conditions, and internal timelines.

What remains clear is that Saturday night’s loss by Green Bay finalized one of the most important dominoes of the offseason.

A single playoff result has crystallized a draft position that could influence multiple franchises well beyond April.

For Dallas, the path forward is defined by choice rather than limitation.

For Green Bay, the consequences of that choice are already being felt.

As the league turns its focus from postseason drama to offseason maneuvering, the Cowboys sit firmly at the center of the conversation.

And with two first round picks now locked into place, their next move may shape the NFL landscape for years to come.