Locked On Cowboys — Cowboys Squad Show: The Cowboys are Set to Tag WR George Pickens

Episode Date: February 10, 2026
Hosts: Marcus Mosher, Landon McCool
Guests: Aisha Morrison, Glenn "Stretch" Smith
Podcast: Locked On Cowboys – Daily Podcast On The Dallas Cowboys

Episode Overview

The first post–Super Bowl 61 episode kicks off with the "Squad" reviewing the NFL season, breaking down what the Cowboys must do to close the gap in 2026, and zeroing in on the biggest Cowboys news—the planned franchise tag for WR George Pickens. They dig into lessons from this year’s Super Bowl teams, the state of the Cowboys’ offense and defense, coaching moves, and the strategic chess game between keeping and trading Pickens. The show is full of lively Cowboys analysis, good-natured ribbing, and some pointed frustrations about the NFL’s business as usual.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NFL Season & Super Bowl 61 Takeaways

[03:21] Marcus opens with a macro view:

• The NFC was “far superior” to the AFC this season.
• Elite quarterbacks (Mahomes, Allen, Burrow, Lamar) are important, “but you really need a good team around these guys to win.”
• Seattle’s Super Bowl win with Sam Darnold—“not a top 7 or 8 QB”—is proof football is “the ultimate team game.”

Notable Quote:

“You have to be really strong on both sides of the football. You have to win in the special teams phase. And I think Seattle is just another reminder that this is the ultimate team game.”
— Marcus Mosher [03:21]

QB Development Lessons

• Aisha hammers the “microwave” mentality: NFL teams don’t develop QBs patiently enough, expecting instant success.
• Sam Darnold’s journey is testament to the importance of developmental growth and environment.

[06:30]

“That’s the problem right now. We are a microwave football league... It’s no mistake to me that a guy went to multiple teams, learned multiple schemes... and then when he finally got to that sixth team, it kind of clicked for him.”
— Aisha Morrison

Coaching/Front Office Decisions

• Glenn: Bad teams hurt QBs' development; asks who in Minnesota let Darnold walk after a 14-win season.
• Marcus: “It’s probably the guy that's not there anymore.”
• The group agrees on the huge impact of strong, developmental coaching.

2. What Can the Cowboys Learn from the Super Bowl Teams?

Defensive Grit & Roster Building
Marcus [11:10] points to the Seahawks and Patriots secondaries' “night and day” tackling versus Dallas’s weakness.

• The need for “dogs” in the Cowboys’ secondary—physical, aggressive defensive backs.

[12:01] Glenn asks if defensive-minded head coaches are critical for a tough, sound defense.

• The consensus is yes: coaching identity shapes roster priorities and sets a physical tone.

Scouting & Identity

• Both Seattle’s history (Legion of Boom) and focused scouting for fit/physicality are crucial; not chasing physical “traits” only.

3. Cowboys’ 2026 Needs & Offseason Priorities

[20:18] Jeff: What must Dallas do to get back to the Super Bowl?

• Marcus: Offense and special teams are excellent; defense “a long way away.”
  • Last two Super Bowl champs had #1 defenses.
  • “You can’t have a bad defense. Honestly, you can’t even have an average defense.”
• Fixing the defense is priority #1—but is it too much for one offseason?

[23:34]
Aisha: Is the list of needs too long for a quick fix?

• Marcus: “In one offseason? Probably.”
• Seattle made it work with minimal linebacker talent, strong D-line, and a loaded secondary. Cowboys must be smart, not perfect, in each position group.

Free Agency & Draft Approach

• Glenn: Is it better to add proven veteran safeties than swing big for one all-pro in the draft?
• Marcus & Aisha: The 2026 free agent class is strong, especially for defensive backs—Dallas should be proactive and aggressive, fixing multiple holes with veterans, using the draft for upside.

4. Cowboys’ Coaching Hires

[30:13] Marcus highlights the new defensive staff:

• Likes the hires overall but wants “a couple more veteran coaches, maybe someone in the booth like Leslie Frazier [in Seattle] to help the young coordinator (Christian Parker).”
• “A few guys could make all the difference in the world.”

5. George Pickens: Franchise Tag or Trade?

The Big Story
[33:37] The panel reacts to reports that the Cowboys will franchise tag WR George Pickens, with possible trade rumors surfacing.

Key Context:

• The tag is expected and “procedural”—standard practice to buy time for a long-term deal.
• Ian Rapoport’s Sunday claim (“Cowboys could trade Pickens”) is seen as standard agent leverage, not a true sign of a deal brewing.

Memorable Quotes:

“We've known for months now that the Cowboys were going to franchise tag George Pickens because all that does is gives them more time to get a long term extension done... I think both sides want to get it done... This is something that we've all been hearing for a while.”
— Marcus Mosher [34:44, 35:22]

“The tag... is just procedural. Like we've known this is going to happen for a while. I don't know why it's a big deal.”
— Marcus Mosher [37:37]

Would the Cowboys Actually Trade Pickens?

• The panel is skeptical.
• Marcus: “If you could start to reallocate some of the resources on offense to defense... If somebody's willing to give you a massive trade offer for George Pickens ... at least worth discussing.”
• But this isn’t a goal—only if blown away by an offer.

Debate: Is it wise to keep investing in offense?

• Marcus: Dallas already has the “NFL’s most expensive offense.” Wouldn’t it be smart to shift resources to defense, given glaring needs?
• Glenn: “I'm just glad you're not in the stockbroker business, because you got to keep something stable.” [40:00]
• Aisha: Frustrated by the “constant fighting” to pay homegrown, developed stars: “Why is it just this constant, like, guys have to just keep proving themselves?”

Hierarchy / Market Value

• Stretch and Marcus debate where Pickens fits among top receivers—does he deserve “top of market” money or is he a step below the elite tier (JSN, Jamar Chase, Puka)?
• Bottom line: The agent will push for Top 5 pay, but Dallas must balance the cap and defense rebuild.

6. Micah Parsons’ Comments & Cowboys Trade Rumors

[51:02] Micah Parsons (now with the Packers) made media waves, claiming Dallas and Philly discussed trading him for DT Jalen Carter, and that he hadn’t spoken to Jerry Jones post-trade.

Panel Reaction:

• Marcus: “Selective memory”—Micah’s stories get bigger each time, don’t take every detail seriously.
• Aisha: “I like how Micah play, but I don’t really listen to him talk.”

7. Cowboys Hall of Fame Snubs: Woodson & Witten

[54:12] Discussion of Darren Woodson and Jason Witten being passed over for the Hall.

Consensus:

• Both are deserving, especially Woodson, who “revolutionized” the safety position.
• Process feels “biased against the Cowboys.”
• Marcus: The Hall’s older voters aren’t watching as much modern football; a more active, diverse panel would help.

8. Final Thoughts & Look Ahead

Cowboys’ Draft/Free Agency Approach

• Jeff: “Surely they understand defense is the glaring need—right?”
• Marcus cautions: Don’t be shocked when “someone in the media says the Cowboys should draft a running back at pick number 12.” Team priorities (and coverage) can shift quickly!

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• “Football is a team game... This season, more than any other, exemplifies that.” — Marcus Mosher [03:21]
• “Sam Darnold is a testament that the quarterback position requires development in most cases.” — Aisha Morrison [06:30]
• “You can’t have a bad defense. Honestly, you can’t even have an average defense.” — Marcus Mosher [21:09]
• “If you want to be a good team, you have to be prepared to pay good players.” — Aisha Morrison [43:13]
• “I believe Woodson should be a Hall of Famer—he really revolutionized what this downhill safety could do.” — Glenn “Stretch” Smith [54:16]
• “[On Micah Parsons’ quotes] Selective memory... I think the further we get removed from it, the bigger the story will grow.” — Marcus Mosher [51:48, 53:28]

Key Timestamps for Main Segments

• Post-Super Bowl reactions, team-building lessons: 03:21–16:23
• Cowboys roster/building focus: 20:18–30:59
• Coaching hires: 30:13–30:59
• George Pickens franchise tag/trade debate: 33:37–48:50
• Parsons trade rumors: 51:02–53:28
• Woodson & Witten Hall of Fame: 54:12–59:18
• Outlook, draft debate, closing banter: 60:20–62:00

Episode Tone

Lively, candid, slightly exasperated with NFL “business as usual”—full of Cowboys pride, tough love, and practical team-building talk. There’s plenty of good-natured banter and honest disagreement.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode:

This episode serves as a comprehensive, entertaining roundtable about the Cowboys’ crossroads: how to follow the proven blueprint of recent Super Bowl teams, fix a glaringly thin defense, and manage the contract chess game with stars like George Pickens—all while juggling coaching hires, draft strategy, and the “business” side of football. The hosts pull no punches but balance their criticisms with clear-eyed hope for a smarter, tougher 2026 Dallas squad.