Scoop City: Inside The NFL — Cowboys Biggest Offseason Problem: Keep George Pickens in Dallas

Podcast by The Athletic
Release Date: February 19, 2026
Hosts: James Palmer, Dan Popper, John Machota

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the 2026 NFL offseason, focusing on the daunting free agent class, trends in roster building, and — most prominently — the Dallas Cowboys’ efforts to keep superstar wide receiver George Pickens in Dallas. Dan Popper discusses lessons learned from breaking down 150 top free agents, while John Machota joins to break down the reality facing the Cowboys as they juggle the Pickens situation, a new defensive coordinator, and hopes of bolstering their talent through both free agency and the draft.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. The Mammoth Task: Ranking 150 NFL Free Agents

(03:18-05:42)

• Dan Popper’s Research: Popper shares his process behind creating an exhaustive free-agent ranking spanning over a year of work, much of it “a proper month of 12 to 16 hour days just, just watching film, trying to get through as many guys as I could.”
• Focus on 'Diamonds in the Rough': Popper notes, “A lot of it was, you know, lower level guys trying to find those diamonds in the rough. ...Trying to find those guys approaching it really like trying to, at least, like a personnel department would.”
• Emphasis on Format and Accessibility: Popper shouts out his editors for the functional, user-friendly layout.

2. Quarterback Market: Malik Willis Hype and More

(05:42-13:06)

• Malik Willis Evaluation:
  • Popper ranks Willis as the #9 free agent, calling him “one of the most fascinating pieces” this offseason.
  • “He got that start in week 17 against the Ravens, and I thought he played outstanding football. Like, I was super impressed coming away from that tape.” (06:21)
  • Popper notes Willis showed “top, top level” off-platform playmaking and predicts he’s “a much, much better option than some of those other mid tier BR starting options” recently.
• Contract Projections:
  • “You have two years, $46 million on here as the contract projection.” (08:00)
  • Both agree Willis' market value is climbing, though there may be incentive-laden deals due to a small sample size.
• Landing Spots and Scheme Fit:
  • Popper highlights Arizona and Miami as potential homes, citing coaching and system continuity from Green Bay.
  • “If you’re talking about finding a scheme that’s very similar and finding a spot where he can function in similar environment, that’s one I would throw out.” (09:23)
• Poise and Maturity:
  • “He just looked comfortable. He looked in control. ...There wasn’t a lot of chaos there.” (12:19)
• Joe Flacco's Longevity:
  • Flacco is ranked #92. Popper quips, “The arm is live. The arm is live, folks.” (13:09)
  • Both discuss Flacco’s NFL staying power and how “you can do a lot worse than Joe Flacco as a bridge option.” (15:01)

3. Running Back Market Reset?

(16:06-24:23)

• Positional Value Shifts:
  • Popper wonders if the Eagles' success after signing Saquon Barkley could reset the market for top RB free agents:
    • “Is there a team out there that...feels like if they get that upper echelon running back...that they can take that step and be a really dominant offense?” (16:53)
• Top RBs in 2026 Free Agency:
  • Breece Hall (ranked highly by Popper): “He is a home run threat...a mismatch advantage, one on one against anybody in space.”
  • Kenneth Walker, Travis Etienne, Rico Dowdle, and Javonte Williams are discussed as top contributors with different skill sets.
• Emphasis on Explosiveness:
  • “I’m using explosive ability as a separator in some of those situations.” (22:06)
  • Value for “doubles hitters” and physical finishers like Dowdle, Williams, and Tyler Algier as RBs who wear down defenses.
• Shift to RBs as 'Weapons':
  • James Palmer: “The idea of the player being a weapon is becoming more and more of the thought process at the position.” (20:33)

4. Trench Warfare: Lessons from Contenders

(26:28-33:17)

• Super Bowl Team-Building Trends:
  • Emphasis on defensive line depth: “Teams have been winning Super Bowls that way for a long time. ...Having the ability to get home with four has always been an advantage.” (27:36)
• Defense – Edge & IDL:
  • Seattle’s rotating pass rush; “...the best way to get home with four is obviously to have talented players, but to have a bunch of them stacked down the depth chart.” (28:36)
  • On IDL, John Franklin-Myers trade to Denver is cited as a template for value.
• Offensive Line Free Agency:
  • It’s tough to find “reliable mid-level starter play”; “If you are going to get a mid level starter in free agency, you are going to overpay. That’s just the rules of engagement, really.” (32:36)
  • Supply and demand issues noted for OL—starters rarely hit the market.

5. Dallas Cowboys’ Offseason Conundrum: Pickens, DC, and Rebuild

(Segment with John Machota begins at 42:31)

Keeping George Pickens

(43:00-48:47)

• No Intention to Let Him Leave:
  • “In terms of the 2026 season, I don’t see him playing anywhere else. ...He was just too good last year for them to even entertain [a trade].” – John Machota (43:00)
  • Franchise tag ($28M) is likely, but a long-term deal is uncertain. Micah Parsons’ exit with the same agent (David Mulagueda) keeps the door “cracked just a little bit.”
• Pickens Playing on the Tag:
  • “I don’t think it would work out okay. I think he would ultimately play under...the franchise tag...but I don’t see it to be where...he’s going to miss games.” (44:50)
  • Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, who have endured similar contract sagas, are prepared to help keep Pickens focused.

Pickens’ Fit & Locker Room Dynamics

(46:22-48:47)

• Concerns About Off-Field/Attitude:
  • “From everybody I’ve talked to and then certainly the way the players feel about him, they absolutely want him back. ...They don’t see him as any type of a distraction or a problem.” – Machota (48:13)
  • Only minor mentions, e.g., “Brian Schottenheimer last season made like a little comment about, hey, is he always at meetings on time...He’s probably doesn’t have perfect attendance or anything like that, but what he does on Sundays is too good for them to want to move in another direction.” (48:31)

New Defensive Coordinator: Christian Parker

(48:47-54:13)

• First Impressions:
  • Parker’s youth (34) and vision impressed Dallas brass: “There was just something about Christian at the end [of the interview] where we were like, we got to bring this guy in ...It’s not about just like what he is now, but it’s about his vision and where he sees the league going.” – Machota (50:40)
• Defensive Needs:
  • “Corner is, is right at the top and then right there with it is edge rusher and you can throw right in there. Right after it is middle linebacker.” (52:05)
  • Cowboys have two first-round picks, expected to use both on defense given personnel shortages.

Max Crosby to Dallas?

(54:13-56:39)

• Is it likely?
  • “If Max Crosby wants out of Vegas that Jerry will pick up the phone and see if he could make that happen? No question. ...But I just don’t think they would trade 12 for him.” – Machota (54:35)
  • Dallas’ lack of second- and third-rounders complicates matters. More likely to trade down and collect picks than trade up for Crosby.
  • Crosby’s marketability if landed: “Yeah, a lot [of jerseys] it would be great.” (56:01)

Brian Schottenheimer’s Job Security

(56:39-58:38)

• On the ‘hot seat’ rumor:
  • “I don't see anything that can realistically happen this year for him to be on the hot seat. ...I'm telling you, like, Jerry loves Brian Schottenheimer. Stephen loves Brian Schottenheimer.” (58:17)
  • Noted that Jerry Jones is less quick to fire than his reputation might suggest.

Notable Quotes & Time Stamps

• On Malik Willis's upside:
  • “The out of structure playmaking was remarkable. ...He has the arm strength to make every throw on the field. And then you factor in the legs, which are elite. Elite.”
    — Dan Popper (09:15)
• On Breece Hall's value:
  • “He is a home run threat every time he touches the ball. ...He’s a mismatch advantage, one on one against anybody in space.”
    — Dan Popper (17:52)
• On free agency OL market:
  • “If you are going to get a mid-level starter in free agency, you are going to overpay. That’s just the— the rules of engagement, really.”
    — Dan Popper (32:36)
• On George Pickens staying in Dallas:
  • “I just don’t see a path where Jerry lets a top receiver out of the building.”
    — John Machota (43:00)
• On Cowboys’ defensive priorities:
  • “Corner is, is right at the top and then right there with it is edge rusher and you can throw right in there. Right after it is middle linebacker.”
    — John Machota (52:05)
• On Max Crosby trade possibility:
  • “It is Jerry Jones and is the Cowboys, so you can never close the door on it.”
    — John Machota (55:57)
• On Brian Schottenheimer’s status:
  • “I don't see anything that can realistically happen this year for him to be on the hot seat. ...He's been around too long for it to just be like him. Do some just— just dumb things where you're just like, I can't believe he did that.”
    — John Machota (58:17)

Summary Table of Notable Segments

| Topic | Start | End | Speakers | Key Points | |------------------------------|-----------|-----------|-------------------|---------------------------------| | Ranking 150 Free Agents | 03:18 | 05:42 | Popper, Palmer | Methodology, 150+ players, focus on depth | | Malik Willis QB Market | 05:42 | 13:06 | Popper, Palmer | Willis' rise, contract, fit | | RB Market/Position Value | 16:06 | 24:23 | Popper, Palmer | RB resurgence, Hall, explosiveness | | Trench Building Teams | 26:28 | 33:17 | Popper, Palmer | DL/OL free agency insights | | Cowboys & George Pickens | 43:00 | 48:47 | Machota, Palmer | Tag likely, locker room fit | | Cowoys Defensive Outlook | 48:47 | 54:13 | Machota, Palmer | New coach, needs, draft plans | | Max Crosby Rumors | 54:13 | 56:39 | Machota, Palmer | Trade logic, practical hurdles | | Schottenheimer Hot Seat | 56:39 | 58:38 | Machota, Palmer | Unlikely, Jerry's patience |

Takeaways

• Free agent depth is unprecedented this year; teams must spend wisely.
• Malik Willis is this offseason’s most intriguing lottery ticket quarterback.
• RB position may be in for a reset at the top of the market, but versatility and explosiveness still rule.
• Strong defensive lines are a prerequisite for modern contenders, but OL help in free agency is rare and expensive.
• Cowboys are planning to tag George Pickens, with a long-term deal looking tricky due to past mistakes and high costs elsewhere on the roster.
• The new defensive coordinator hire signals forward thinking, but personnel upgrades (especially at corner and edge) are dire.
• Max Crosby would be a franchise-altering addition, but Dallas is presently limited by its draft and cap situation.
• Despite outside perceptions, the Cowboys’ top offensive staff aren’t “on the hot seat.”

For more, check out the full free-agent rankings at The Athletic and stay tuned for NFL Combine coverage with the Scoop City team.