Dallas Cowboys Free Agency Outlook: Projecting Contracts for the Team’s Top Four Pending Free Agents

The Dallas Cowboys are entering one of the most critical offseasons in recent franchise history. With the 2025 NFL season officially in the books, the front office must now turn its attention to free agency — and more specifically, to retaining its own talent.

Several of the Cowboys’ most impactful players from the 2025 campaign are scheduled to hit the open market. These aren’t fringe contributors or rotational depth pieces. Instead, Dallas is facing potential departures of players who led the team in receiving yards, rushing yards, and quarterback sacks. Losing even one of them could dramatically alter the roster’s balance, while losing multiple would force the Cowboys into expensive and risky replacements.

The good news? Dallas believes it has the financial flexibility to be aggressive. The salary cap situation is manageable, and the front office has repeatedly emphasized the importance of keeping core contributors in-house. The challenge, however, lies in determining how much each player is worth and what kind of contracts make sense for both sides.

Let’s take an in-depth look at the Dallas Cowboys’ top four pending free agents, analyze their 2025 production, and project what their next contracts could realistically look like based on market value and team needs.

Jadeveon Clowney, EDGE: Veteran Pass Rush at the Right Price

Few players finished the 2025 season stronger than Jadeveon Clowney. The veteran edge rusher led the Cowboys with 8.5 sacks, providing much-needed consistency off the edge in a defense that struggled to generate pressure at times.

What truly stood out was Clowney’s late-season surge. Over the final two games, he recorded 4.5 sacks, reminding everyone why he was once considered one of the most physically gifted defensive prospects in NFL history. His combination of power, experience, and situational awareness proved invaluable as Dallas pushed through the final stretch of the season.

Clowney has already made it clear that he wants to get signed quickly this offseason. After bouncing between teams earlier in his career, he understands the value of stability and a full offseason program. The Cowboys, for their part, have publicly expressed interest in bringing him back.

According to Spotrac, Clowney’s projected market value sits at one year, $5.7 million. For Dallas, that price point is a bargain. A short-term deal limits long-term risk while preserving pass-rushing continuity in a defense that doesn’t have many proven edge rushers under contract.

Projected Contract:

• 1 year, $5.7 million

• Minimal guaranteed money

• Incentives tied to sack totals and playing time

If this projection holds, the Cowboys would be wise to move quickly before another contender swoops in.

Brandon Aubrey, Kicker: A Legitimate Offensive Weapon

In today’s NFL, elite special teams players are no longer luxuries — they are competitive advantages. Brandon Aubrey proved that in 2025, transforming the Cowboys’ kicking game into one of the most reliable units in football.

Aubrey’s range fundamentally changed how Dallas approached drives. As long as the offense crossed midfield, points were almost guaranteed. His consistency from long distance gave head coach Mike McCarthy the freedom to attempt field goals that many teams wouldn’t even consider.

Spotrac projects Aubrey’s next contract at four years, $26.15 million, which would make him the highest-paid kicker in NFL history, narrowly surpassing Kansas City Chiefs star Harrison Butker.

Some fans may balk at paying a kicker that kind of money. But anyone who watched Aubrey in 2025 understands his value. He wasn’t just accurate — he was automatic.

Projected Contract:

• 4 years, $26.15 million

• High guarantees for a kicker

• Long-term stability at a critical position

For Dallas, locking up Aubrey removes uncertainty and ensures scoring consistency for years to come.

Javonte Williams, Running Back: The Steal of the 2025 Season

When the Cowboys signed Javonte Williams, expectations were modest. Few believed he would emerge as the offense’s featured back. Instead, Williams delivered one of the most impressive seasons by a Cowboys running back in recent memory.

Williams finished the year with:

• 1,201 rushing yards

• 11 rushing touchdowns

• 4.8 yards per carry

Beyond the numbers, he brought physicality, durability, and consistency to a backfield that had lacked all three. He excelled in short-yardage situations, broke tackles at the second level, and proved capable of carrying the offensive load when needed.

Spotrac estimates Williams’ market value at three years, $22 million, a deal that reflects his production without pushing into elite running back salary territory.

Projected Contract:

• 3 years, $22 million

• Moderate guarantees

• Incentives for rushing yards and touchdowns

For the Cowboys, this deal represents excellent value. They retain a proven workhorse without overcommitting financially at a volatile position.

George Pickens, Wide Receiver: The Cornerstone Decision

No pending free agent made a bigger impact for Dallas in 2025 than George Pickens.

In his breakout season with the Cowboys, Pickens led the team in:

• Receptions (93)

• Receiving yards (1,429)

• Receiving touchdowns (9)

More importantly, he provided something the Cowboys desperately needed: a legitimate No. 1-caliber receiver opposite CeeDee Lamb. When Lamb missed time with a high ankle sprain, Pickens seamlessly stepped into the primary role, drawing double coverage and still producing at a high level.

Pickens’ performance didn’t just elevate the passing game — it changed how defenses played Dallas. His size, body control, and ability to win contested catches made him a matchup nightmare.

Spotrac projects Pickens’ market value at a massive four years, $122.4 million, averaging $30.6 million per year. That figure slightly exceeds the projected franchise tag number, but it reflects the current wide receiver market.

Projected Contract:

• 4 years, $122.4 million

• Significant guarantees

• Structured to lower early cap hits

While expensive, this is the deal that matters most. Losing Pickens would force Dallas to either overpay in free agency or rely heavily on the draft.

Final Projected Market Values for Cowboys Free Agents

Based on Spotrac projections, here’s how the Cowboys’ top free agents stack up financially:

• George Pickens: $122.4M / 4 years

• Javonte Williams: $22M / 3 years

• Brandon Aubrey: $26.15M / 4 years

• Jadeveon Clowney: $5.7M / 1 year

Together, these contracts represent a significant investment — but also a commitment to continuity, stability, and proven production.

Final Thoughts: Why Retaining Talent Matters for Dallas

The Dallas Cowboys don’t need a full rebuild. They need smart decisions. Retaining core contributors like Pickens, Williams, Aubrey, and Clowney allows the team to stay competitive while avoiding unnecessary risk.

If Dallas can structure these contracts wisely — especially Pickens’ — they’ll not only preserve cap flexibility but also avoid the kind of contract drama that has plagued the franchise in recent years.

At this stage, the blueprint is clear: keep your best players, pay them fairly, and move forward without distractions. The upcoming free agency period will reveal whether the Cowboys are ready to follow through.