The first major roster transaction of the 2026 offseason has officially arrived for the Dallas Cowboys, as the franchise announced the release of linebacker Logan Wilson just months after acquiring him from the Cincinnati Bengals at the NFL trade deadline.

The move marks an unexpected but decisive shift for a defense that struggled throughout the 2025 season, a unit that never fully recovered from the controversial midseason trade that sent superstar pass rusher Micah Parsons out of Dallas in a shocking blockbuster.

Without Parsons anchoring the edge, Dallas’ defense repeatedly failed to generate consistent pressure, and Wilson — acquired with the hope he could help stabilize the middle of the field — never emerged as the difference-maker the team hoped he could become.

Instead, the defense regressed, became increasingly vulnerable against explosive offenses, and forced the Cowboys’ front office to confront the reality that significant reinforcements were needed across multiple positions.

This is why the Cowboys continue to be heavily linked to premier defensive end Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders, a player widely expected to be the next elite defender moved in what is becoming a trade-heavy era for star pass rushers.

Crosby is coming off another monster season and remains one of the most relentless, physically dominant edge defenders in football, making him an ideal candidate to replace the presence Dallas lost when it traded Parsons.

However, the reported asking price from Las Vegas is steep — extremely steep — as the Raiders are said to be demanding a return similar to the deal the Cowboys already received for Parsons: two first-round picks and potentially even more.

That alone has sparked debate among Cowboys fans and analysts, who question whether the organization should once again sacrifice premium draft capital to chase short-term defensive improvement.

ESPN’s Dan Graziano added fuel to the fire when he proposed an even more dramatic trade: Dallas sending the 20th overall pick and star wide receiver George Pickens to the Raiders in exchange for Crosby and the 36th overall pick.

The suggestion immediately ignited fan outrage online, as Pickens became one of the Cowboys’ biggest breakout stars in 2025 and emerged as a reliable, explosive complement to All-Pro receiver CeeDee Lamb.

Graziano argues that the deal would make sense for Dallas because the franchise is more likely to invest top-tier money into a dominant pass rusher like Crosby than into Pickens, whose long-term financial demands are expected to be massive.

He also notes that Pickens’ contract situation parallels the Parsons conflict from the previous year, as franchise-tagging another young superstar could create yet another offseason drama Dallas is eager to avoid.

In Graziano’s view, the Cowboys could resolve the looming contractual standoff, secure an elite defensive difference-maker, and maintain some draft flexibility by acquiring a high second-round pick in return — all while avoiding a long-term dispute with Pickens.

The analyst also points out that Pickens fits more comfortably into the Raiders’ cap structure than into Dallas’, as Las Vegas does not currently carry a wide receiver contract anywhere close to Lamb’s massive top-three salary.

From the Raiders’ perspective, the proposed trade offers an opportunity to add a young star wideout with Pro Bowl potential while recouping a first-round pick, enabling their front office to retool the offense around an elite pass-catching duo.

Such a move would also relieve Las Vegas of Crosby’s enormous salary demands, allowing them to redistribute resources as they begin yet another rebuilding phase under new leadership.

Financially, Graziano’s logic is grounded in reality: with Dallas already paying Lamb an average of $34 million per season, extending Pickens long-term at a top-of-market rate may simply not be feasible.

The Cowboys are reportedly considering applying the franchise tag to Pickens to retain control through 2026, but such a move could cause friction if the receiver is unwilling to play without a secure multi-year commitment.

If Pickens resists the tag and Dallas refuses to offer a long-term extension, the organization may view the trade as a strategic compromise — one that prevents contract disputes while addressing a glaring defensive weakness.

Still, logic and fan sentiment rarely align, and the thought of losing Pickens just months after his explosive breakout has generated intense backlash across the Cowboys fan base.

Pickens thrived in the Cowboys’ offense last season, dominating one-on-one matchups, delivering highlight-reel catches every week, and quickly becoming a fan favorite for his physicality, competitiveness, and unmistakable swagger.

He brought an edge to the offense that perfectly complemented Lamb’s precision and route mastery, giving Dallas one of the most dangerous receiving duos in the NFC for the first time in years.

Replacing that dynamic would be extremely difficult, and any trade involving Pickens — even for a player as talented as Crosby — would leave many wondering whether the Cowboys are moving backward rather than forward.

For a franchise defined by star-powered offensive playmakers, losing a budding superstar like Pickens could fundamentally change the team’s identity.

On the other hand, the Cowboys’ lack of pass-rushing firepower after Parsons’ departure created defensive issues that could not be ignored, forcing the team into several shootout-style games and putting undue pressure on Dak Prescott and the offense.

Crosby — a relentless motor player with elite technique, durability, and leadership qualities — represents one of the few league-wide talents capable of reshaping a defense overnight.

The Cowboys’ front office must weigh two competing visions: protect the offensive core built around Prescott and Lamb, or rebuild the defensive identity with a cornerstone edge rusher who can anchor the unit for the next several seasons.

Both paths carry risk, but after watching the defense unravel post-Parsons, the team may lean toward restoring dominance on the defensive front.

The Logan Wilson release and the Pickens–Crosby trade rumors represent two sides of the same equation: a Cowboys team desperately trying to balance roster construction, salary allocation, and competitive urgency entering a critical 2026 season.

Wilson was a failed midseason experiment; Crosby could be the next foundational piece. Pickens is a rising offensive star; his contract threatens the Cowboys’ long-term financial vision.

As the offseason progresses, Dallas will continue to dominate headlines, whether through potential blockbuster trades, contract drama, or major acquisitions that reshape the balance of power in the NFC.

For now, one thing is clear: the Cowboys are preparing for seismic changes — and the fan base is holding its breath as one of the most consequential offseasons in recent memory unfolds.