Talkin’ Cowboys: We Believe in Javonte

Summary

Talkin’ Cowboys: We Believe in Javonte

Date: February 24, 2026
Hosts: Kyle Yeomans, Patrik Walker, Chris Beam, Josh Rodriguez

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Episode Overview

This episode of Talkin’ Cowboys dives deep into the Dallas Cowboys’ most recent moves, with an emphasis on the re-signing of running back Javonte Williams. The hosts discuss the impact of this deal, the new stability at the running back position, what it means for the construction of the roster moving into free agency and the draft, and how it sets up the offense for 2026. The squad also reacts to defensive coordinator Christian Parker’s introductory press conference and unpacks the Cowboys’ planned shift to a 3-4 defense. Finally, they debate the George Pickens contract situation and the realities of Cowboys front office strategy.

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Key Topics & Insights

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1. Javonte Williams Re-Signs: The Backfield is Stabilized

[03:34 - 09:58]

• Contract Details and Reactions

  • Javonte Williams signs a 3-year, $24M deal ($16M guaranteed), making him the first big move for Dallas’ 2026 free agency.
  • “Not only do we believe in Javonte, the Cowboys do as well. And you gotta love that.” — Chris Beam [03:34]
  • “He’s the best pass protector you have… and he proved himself durable as well, which was key.” — Chris Beam [04:40]

• Role & Importance in 2025

  • Unexpectedly became the bell cow after injuries, notably to Miles Sanders.
  • Provided much needed stability post-Zeke/Pollard era, becoming the first true RB1 in several years.
  • “He was a top ten running back this past year. He’s not a top ten contract.” — Kyle Yeomans [08:04]

• Deal Value and Market Context

  • Williams’ $8M/yr is less than many comparable backs, yet provides high value for Dallas.
  • “The Cowboys didn’t set the market, but they got ahead of it.” — Patrick Walker [08:45]

• Fit & Future

  • Stability allows focus on other needs (notably O-line).
  • Williams benefits from playing alongside stars and in a balanced offense.
  • “If I’m Javonte Williams, not only do I get to lengthen my career… but I also get to potentially be on a playoff team, maybe, if the defense gets itself together. Maybe the C word — contender.” — Chris Beam [11:18]

• Physicality Compared to Past Backs

  • “He’s the most physical running back the Cowboys have had since DeMarco Murray. Take the first two years of Zeke into that equation.” — Patrick Walker [12:09]

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2. Running Back Room Depth & Next Steps

[13:26 - 21:49]

• Examining the Depth Chart

  • Beyond Williams: Young players Jaden Blue (home run threat) and Phil Mafa (physical, missed most of last season), plus possible returns by Malik Davis or Miles Sanders.
  • Only Williams is truly proven—hosts agree RB room needs insurance.

• Insurance & Competition

  • “If you’re going to get a veteran… I’m going with Malik Davis.” — Chris Beam [17:26]
  • It’s Jaden Blue’s job to lose as RB2, but maturity is still a question mark.

• Room to Add

  • Expect Dallas to add one more name, likely a late draft pick or undrafted free agent, due to lack of proven depth and a thinner RB draft class.

• Hope vs. Strategy

  • “Hope is not a strategy. I just hope he stays healthy… but things happen.” — Kyle Yeomans [21:26]

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3. Christian Parker’s Introduction & Defensive Overhaul

[27:26 - 37:57]

• First Press Conference Impressions

  • Hosts describe Parker as “extremely intelligent, well-learned, very grounded and intense… a philosopher of defense who commands a room.”
    — Kyle Yeomans [28:41-29:01]
  • Notable Moment: Parker quotes Sun Tzu's Art of War [28:41]
  • “Let’s express excitement for the potential… but also temper it with reality. He’s not called plays yet. He will have growing pains.” — Chris Beam [29:19]

• Switch to a 3-4 Base Defense

  • Parker confirms the base will indeed be 3-4, with multiple fronts possible [29:15-30:54].
  • “First time since the DeMarcus Ware era… Cowboys are traditionally 4-3.” — Chris Beam [31:07]
  • Overhaul is timely: “What better year to do that, overhaul the worst defense you’ve had in franchise history.” — Kyle Yeomans [33:15]

• Personnel Implications

  • IDL (Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, Osa Odighizuwa, Solomon Thomas) well set, but edge roles need additions.
  • “You need versatile outside linebackers… not just defensive ends.” — Chris Beam [32:16]
  • Free agent targets for EDGE/OLB include Clowney, Bradley Chubb, Jaylen Phillips, Khalil Mack (if the price is right).

• Cautious Optimism

  • All hosts stress that major change is rarely seamless — front office aggression and system overhaul must be balanced with patience.
  • “There’s a lot of hopium… we’ve fallen into this before… I want Cowboys fans to temper expectations…” — Kyle Yeomans [36:09]

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4. Offseason Financials, Front Office, and George Pickens’ Contract

[46:54 - 57:07]

• Stephen Jones’ Combine Comments

  • Confirms plan to tag George Pickens if no deal is reached before deadline.
  • “If they extend Pickens, they have more money to do what they need… Money’s not the issue.” — Chris Beam [47:21-49:36]
  • Tagging Pickens carries $28M guaranteed cap hit, but Dallas can free up over $130M with restructures.

• Should They Trade Pickens?

  • Hosts unanimously resist the notion of trading Pickens, even if only a second-rounder is offered.
    “What you’re looking to get with a draft pick is George Pickens… you already have George Pickens.” — Chris Beam [51:12]
  • “He is the CD [Lamb]. He is the compliment. The way he fits with Dak, the way he fits the system… He does more for this organization than a second round pick ever could.” — Kyle Yeomans [53:10, 54:24]

• League’s View & Production

  • Some league chatter argues his breakout was just contract-year motivation.
  • “The production is there.” — Patrick Walker [56:57]
  • “He finally got the right quarterback, got a complementary piece… all of that happened to happen in a contract year.” — Chris Beam [56:35]

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5. Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “He didn’t play like he gave a damn about what anybody was saying about his durability… He was an absolute bully.”
  — Chris Beam, on Javonte Williams [06:33]

• “Hope is not a strategy.”
  — Kyle Yeomans, on RB depth contingency [21:26]

• “He’s the most physical running back the Cowboys have had since DeMarco Murray… you didn’t expect that going in.”
  — Patrick Walker [12:12]

• On a potential Pickens trade:
  “Hell to the no! I’m not doing it. You already have George Pickens.” — Chris Beam [50:48-51:12]

• “Don’t just go get names to get names. Go get fits.” — Kyle Yeomans, on defensive free agency [41:14]

• Comparing the WR market:
  “What you’re looking to get with a draft pick is George Pickens… you already have George Pickens.” — Chris Beam [51:12]

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6. Important Timestamps

• Javonte Williams contract & reaction: 03:34 – 09:58
• RB room depth and backup discussion: 13:26 – 21:49
• Christian Parker DC intro, 3-4 switch: 27:26 – 37:57
• Defensive personnel & free agent targets: 32:16 – 41:14
• Stephen Jones/front office commentary on Pickens/tag: 46:54 – 57:07
• Debate on a possible Pickens trade: 50:36 – 55:32

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Takeaways for Cowboys Fans

• Cowboys locked up a reliable, underrated workhorse at RB, freeing up resources and draft capital for use elsewhere.
• The running back depth chart still needs veteran insurance; look for a Malik Davis type re-signing or a cheap veteran addition.
• Christian Parker’s 3-4 scheme will require more edge/OLB talent; expect the defense’s front seven to be a major area of focus in free agency.
• Front office cap strategy will allow for significant moves even with a George Pickens tag.
• Trading Pickens? Don’t count on it — the locker room, production, and fit are simply too valuable.
• Fans should manage expectations: The team is moving in promising directions but “hope is not a strategy,” and major overhauls require time.

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For full Cowboys banter, laughs, and in-depth analysis by the Talkin’ Cowboys crew, catch the replay or follow their continuing coverage at DallasCowboys.com.

Transcript

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[Kyle Yeomans]

The following is a production of Dallas Cowboys.com and the Dallas Cowboys Football Club. This is Talking Cowboys streaming live from the Dallas Cowboys world headquarters at the Star in Frisco cd Lamb. It's on.

[Chris Beam]

Jake Fergus Prescott keeps it and he bangs it in for the touchdown.

[Kyle Yeomans]

And now your hosts, Isaiah Stanback, Patrick Walker, Josh Rodriguez and Kyle Yeomans. It's a chillaxed edition of Talking Cowboys presented by Black Rifle Coffee company live from the Star in Frisco, Texas in the SWBC studios. Welcome in, everybody. We've got Patrick Nosi Walker, Josh Rodriguez, Chris Beam in the back. I'm Kyle Yeomans. So glad you're with. This is the first show that we've had in quite some time and it feels like that because so much has happened over the last week. We've met our defensive coordinator.

[Chris Beam]

Yes.

[Kyle Yeomans]

We've heard from the front office. We've heard from Brian Schottenheimer and we've signed a running back. We'll talk about all of that.

[Patrick Walker]

Indeed.

[Kyle Yeomans]

I think there's no better way to start this show than by go ahead and proclaiming. Right. That we believe in Javante. Javante Williams is back. We're going to talk about it as we go along on the show. You guys like this setup?

[Chris Beam]

The little. I feel so mature.

[Patrick Walker]

Oh, yeah.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Do you need like a cigar?

[Patrick Walker]

Very distinct.

[Chris Beam]

I do feel like I need a bourbon, you know, like an old fashioned. Yeah, that's an old fashioned.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Get a star on the ice cube as they.

[Chris Beam]

Not as you know, it's just neat.

[Patrick Walker]

You know what I need a black rifle coffee.

[Chris Beam]

Shameless.

[Patrick Walker]

For the listeners or for the viewers at home.

[Chris Beam]

Do it.

[Kyle Yeomans]

There you go.

[Chris Beam]

Do it, do it, do it.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Black rifle coffee. It is. I mean, it is a nice relaxed feel and it's a lot of. A lot of football talk this off season. Probably feels relaxed to fans at home when it's not in the building. That's what this last week has felt like. It feels like there's A lot going on as time as passed and I mean, we're starting to see what the complete picture of this football team is going to be as we get into the combine this week. Patrick and I will be on the first flight out tomorrow.

[Patrick Walker]

Give me a ticket as well.

[Kyle Yeomans]

If you want to come along, come along.

[Uber Eats Announcer]

All right.

[Patrick Walker]

Yeah, pack me in the luggage. What are you waiting on, you guys? What? Time to fight. I'll see you there.

[Chris Beam]

That's a fair answer.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Yeah, it's like 7 o', clock, I

[Patrick Walker]

think still 7am yeah. Yeah, I like it. Yeah, like an early flight.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Early flight.

[Chris Beam]

Get there, get out of the way.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Let's have a whole day. Yeah, something like that.

[Patrick Walker]

Come on.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Easy stuff. Let's get into some news and notes.

[Chris Beam]

That's like you said, let's leave with the the headliner, which is Javante Williams is going nowhere. He has resided on a three year deal worth a maximum of $24 million, $16 million of that is guaranteed. Obviously that's an $8 million average annual salary. That is more than solid for both sides. That's Javante. That's a good deal for the Cowboys. And once again, much like a year ago when Javante Williams was the first player from outside of the building signing free agency, he becomes the first deal to jump off the Cowboys free agency this time around. So not only do we believe in Javante, the Cowboys do as well. And you got to love that. I could not be aware, I could not be happier for Javante Williams now, you know, a couple seasons or so removed from that devastating injury. He signed a prove it deal last year and he went out and did exactly that. He proved it. He showed that he can do it. He could do the dirty work. He can run between the A and the B gaps. He's the best pass protector you have in the running backs room. He can help mentor some of the younger guys, Jay and Blue Phil Mafa. And on top of that, he proved himself durable as well, which was key because when you had a situation with Miles Sanders who was brought in to compete with Javante and probably be a tandem with with him and kind of like a running back by committee scenario, Miles Sanders goes down early, never comes back again for the remainder of the season. Questions are who's going to step up. Shouts out to Malik Davis for being able to do so, but it was Javante turning into the bell cow. And that's not the conversation that we were having.

[Patrick Walker]

Absolutely.

[Chris Beam]

Oxner camp. So shouts out to Javante, well earned. Three years. He's in the building. Let's go.

[Patrick Walker]

And it. I don't think it was a matter of, like, we didn't think he was possible of doing that, but I think for a large portion of training camp, we're like, oh, he's not going to be the bell cow. I mean, he's going to split it up, of course.

[Kyle Yeomans]

And even getting with Jaden Blue, I feel like bell cow was like the definition of it for Javante. Williams was like, oh, he's going to be the starter and he's going to see half the snaps, not the majority of the snaps, and carry the running back and running game on his back all game or all season long.

[Patrick Walker]

No, that was not what we were thinking going into the season. Obviously, the Cowboys had that in their mind pretty early on. Probably when they signed him, they were like, this guy can do it all for us. And like, we talked about 80 of the snaps. They felt that way, which is why we never got a great look at him at training camp. Yeah, they would always kind of like, push him off to the side after a few reps and be like, no, we're good.

[Chris Beam]

You say a little bit of bubble wrap was involved there?

[Patrick Walker]

Oh, 100%. I mean, I remember several practices where I'm like, that was two or three great runs and then he's gone.

[Chris Beam]

Yeah.

[Patrick Walker]

You know, I'm like, what are we doing?

[Chris Beam]

Yeah.

[Kyle Yeomans]

I think part of that was because they. They wanted to. To shelve them a little bit. What are you going to see in practice versus what are you going to see in the game?

[Patrick Walker]

Anyways, I'm just so surprised that they saw it as early as they did. It's impressive without us even having an indication of what he might be doing.

[Chris Beam]

You know what I even more so about Javante is, okay, so this is a. A young guy that, you know, a lot has been said about his durability going into last season. Right. He didn't play like he gave a damn about what anybody was saying about his durability. If there was someone coming up to tackle him, good luck with that person coming up to tackle. I mean, he was absolute bully. He was physical. He also showed some quickness. Obviously, there's more quickness in, like, a J in blue, but it was surprising to see how much quickness and how much burst Javante had. He is a complete back that does the dirty work exceedingly well. Would you like to see more from a home run capacity? Absolutely. But this is the same guy who surprised many in open space, being able to tear off some of Those chunk runs as well. So I just think that not only is it well deserved, but it gives the Cowboys some much needed stability at the running back position because obviously in the post Zeke Tony Pollard tandem era, it became Tony Pollard, he had that good year, but then he went off. But even with the Tony Pollard era was like who's RB2, right. So after Zeke slash Pollard there was a ton of instability and now Javonte Williams comes in and he provides you that for several years, which now allows you to focus on other things that need to be focused on.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Yeah. And the numbers are very favorable for Dallas. I mean you look at what he's totally. Yeah.

[Patrick Walker]

Agreeable.

[Kyle Yeomans]

He was the 9th most productive rusher in football.

[Chris Beam]

Is that good?

[Kyle Yeomans]

Great.

[Chris Beam]

Seems good.

[Patrick Walker]

Top 10 teams, pretty good, 1200 yards.

[Kyle Yeomans]

He was a top 10 running back in football this past year. He is not a top 10 contract at the running back position this year, which is huge. Or over the course of the contract. Actually the average per year, 8 million a year is something. And I know it's going to be split up differently as we get more details on the contract, but let's say it is the 8 million over three years. These are guys, I'm going to start naming guys that are paid higher than Javante Williams. And might I remind you, this is before we get into free agency and new deals that are going to go wherever the running back position is going to go.

[Patrick Walker]

You're saying the Cowboys set the market.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Not set the market, but they got ahead of it. Got ahead of the market.

[Chris Beam]

Proactive.

[Patrick Walker]

Proactive.

[Kyle Yeomans]

They were ahead of that.

[Chris Beam]

What we're doing, where are we.

[Kyle Yeomans]

But you've got. I mean these are guys that are paid above them.

[Patrick Walker]

Yes, please.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Chubba Hubbard, Ashton Genti, Ramondre Stevenson, David Montgomery, James Connor, Aaron Jones. I know. Yeah, that's. That's a different story. James Cook, who had a phenomenal year. Josh Jacobs. I mean these are good running backs. Yeah. But they're all paid higher.

[Chris Beam]

Yeah.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Than Javante Williams. I mean you look at the guys under Javante Williams and it's not the same level of list. I mean Tony Pollo, Pollard's there not anything against Tony Pollard, but Jalen Warren, Devin Singletary, Najee Harris, Jordan Mason, Jameer Gibbs, who. He's on a rookie deal and a lot of these guys are rookie deals. Honestly, I'm Marion Hampton and. And Bijan Robinson still on his rookie deal. Travis etn. The point of this being you get him at a steal of a price. And honestly, I don't know if I Want to call it a discount because he's getting paid more. Yeah, but it feels like it's a respect factor between the two parties of Javante took a chance on himself, but Dallas took a chance on Javante at the same time and it paid off for both parties. Let's be happy for both parties and that's how they're moving forward.

[Chris Beam]

Great point, Kyle. I'll add to that. I think it would also play largely into Javante's decision to stick around in Dallas is the fact that this offense has the weapons around him to allow him to be able to continue to be productive. If you're a running back, obviously that's arguably the most brutal position to play in the NFL.

[Kyle Yeomans]

One of them.

[Chris Beam]

Right. So the shelf life on a running back in the NFL is not exceedingly long, but it can be lengthened if the team that that player is on has receiving threats, has a franchise quarterback. Now, we'll talk about the needs for the offensive line when we get there. However, the. The core pieces, especially being that the Cowboys very much intend to keep George Pickens in the building. The core pieces are there for Javante Williams and the coordinator because though Brian Schottenheimer has some growing pains to learn from, he showed from the outset that he can get that job done. It a prolific offense as far as scheming is concerned. So if I'm Javante Williams, I'm looking at it as okay. To Kyle's point, this is the team that gave me a shot, gave me a shot at proving it. And in addition to that, he has a brotherhood with the locker room, gets along extremely well with the offense and the defense and the coaching staff. The defense is now being revamped in a way that as we have this conversation at least looks like it's about to take the right steps. If I'm Javante Williams, not only do I get to potentially lengthen my NFL career by playing with weapons like CD Lamb and Dak Prescott and and George P.E. pickens, but I also get to potentially be on a playoff team maybe if the defense gets itself together this year, maybe the C word. A contender. So just something that if I'm Javante Williams can't talk about. I know, where's my son. But if I'm Javante Williams, I'm thinking about that. Yeah. When it comes to sticking around in

[Patrick Walker]

Dallas, clearly the contract says that he was thinking that. Yeah, he's in line with what the coach's philosophy right now. And one of those characters, at least for Brian Schottenheimer that he loves, where it's a, it's a non vocal leader that leads by example. He showed that all season long. He was healthy for the most part, for a large part of the season. Only missed that last game, I believe. But in all. In all, all encompassing, he's the kind of running back that you want the. And I'll stand by it. I feel like he's the most physical running back the Cowboys have had since DeMarco Murray. Granted, you take like maybe the first two years of Zeke into that equation.

[Chris Beam]

I think Zeke is underrated in that category. But I could see the argument as

[Patrick Walker]

far as physicality goes.

[Chris Beam]

Granted, Zeke was a bowling ball.

[Patrick Walker]

Absolutely. His first two years.

[Chris Beam]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Patrick Walker]

You know, I think the, the larger picture is that he kind of lessened in that degree later on. But not to talk about Zeke. I just mean, like, it's just refreshing to see a running back of that caliber with that strength behind him that is genuinely. Like you didn't expect that going in. So I'm really happy with the sign.

[Chris Beam]

There's nothing to dislike about this move. No, nothing to dislike about it.

[Kyle Yeomans]

The, the question then becomes. And, well, first off, I want to. I want to back up what you just said. The coordinator conversation we've had on the defensive side of the ball where it's like, oh, there's four coordinators in four years and that's one conversation. I feel like an underrated conversation. It's been four primary ball carriers in four years and now that's not the case. Now you know who your running back is going to be.

[Chris Beam]

It's.

[Kyle Yeomans]

It's not Ezekiel Elliott. It's not Tony Pollard. It's not Rico Dowdle like it was the three years prior to Javante Williams. Now it's Javante Williams moving into the future, but at least for the next three years.

[Patrick Walker]

This is to kind of tease our other segment as far as.

[Kyle Yeomans]

No, we're going to go into that.

[Patrick Walker]

Okay.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Now.

[Patrick Walker]

Yeah. Okay. Yeah, please.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Do you need to add more at the running back position? That was my question here. Because Javante, being what he was, was already taking a chance on himself. Cowboys took a chance on him. Do you need to have something else to either build upon with him in the running back room or is it something that you feel comfortable? Let's see where these other guys go that are currently under contract.

[Chris Beam]

Oh, I thought that was the lead for segment two.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Oh, no, no, no.

[Chris Beam]

I want you to jump right in there. I think that you. That's a question mark. And it's a fantastic Question for a couple reasons. One, you would love to look at the running back step chart right now as we have this conversation. And if you're just looking at it without the context of the struggles of Jay and Blue with consistent practices and Phil Mafa having missed the large majority, I mean 16 regular season games because of the shoulder injury, got one carry in the finale. Didn't really get to show you any data, any film there. But if you look at it from the capacity of who you have, you say Javonte Williams is locked in, you got a promising home run threat in Jaden Blue and you got another physical downhill runner in Phil Mafa. You want to say that they can be done but then when you start to sprinkle in the context of it again, basically one or two reps for Phil Mafa all of last season. So let's call it a red shirt year. Jaden Blue didn't earn his way onto the field until the final game, but when he did showed some magnificent stuff. But you need to see more growth there. Malik Davis.

[Patrick Walker]

Maturity is maturity.

[Chris Beam]

Well, Malik Davis is not yet resigned to the roster, so he's not there. Said the name for me practice squad.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Oh, Israel Abandacanda.

[Chris Beam]

You got that. You got him on the roster, however unproven, even, even less so than Jay and Blue and Phil Mafa. The only definitive guy you have is is Javante Williams. So you can't be done. You can't be done. Now what does that mean? I don't know if that means you add someone else in free agency. Maybe it's a Malik Davis. It won't be anyone that competes with Javante because Javante is now your. He's your guy.

[Patrick Walker]

He's the guy.

[Chris Beam]

Yeah. You're trying to figure out RB2. Yeah, I think it can be figured out if JM Blue's maturity and work ethic sounds as if after the regular season finale sounds as if it clicked. Sounds as if he got it. But let's see because here comes, you know, in a couple months or so here comes OTAs and minicamp and then ultimately training camp and preseason. We'll see what year two J and Blue looks like and we'll see what technically year one Phil Mafa looks like because we didn't get to see after

[Patrick Walker]

the regular season finale. I feel like it's Jaden Blues job to lose. He played excellent in that first half and then you saw film offa and spurts. Right. But to me the ability is there, the burst is there which was be an excellent complement to what Javante Williams provides to you, you need that burst. Do I think you need to add anything right now? Unless Jaden Blue doesn't pick up on that, that growth opportunity, if he does not mature between now and the preseason, like we need to see it in preseason as well, then yes. But it would be another situation where you're getting a Miles Sanders type player or Malik Davis. I would be totally fine with that. Resigning Malik Davis.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Do you feel like. Do you feel like Miles Sanders plays into this equation at all?

[Patrick Walker]

Probably not. Because what you saw from Malik Davis, I thought. I think Malik Davis was more than serviceable. What's that?

[Chris Beam]

I don't think Miles Sanders plays into it.

[Kyle Yeomans]

It.

[Patrick Walker]

Probably not, but I just meant like what you're saying.

[Chris Beam]

Yeah, Malik Davis. I mean, if you're going to get a veteran that you want to be able to plug into that RB2. Because I was going to ask the question. And your question now answers the question I was going to pose to Josh, which is at what point do you want to apply insurance? Because you're saying, and rightfully so, you need to see what Jay and Blue is going to be come preseason, you know, come training camp. But you shouldn't wait to buy insurance for that situation, any situation.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Please don't.

[Chris Beam]

So when do you do it? And to you guys point, I think you do it now and I think you do it with Malik Davis. Yeah, I think that's how you do it. I don't think if it's Malik Davis and Miles Sanders, I'm going with Malik. Malik Davis.

[Patrick Walker]

Yeah.

[Chris Beam]

Miles Sanders came in, he battled injury, he didn't look fantastic before he succumbed to injury. Malik Davis came in after being wavered total of five times and said enough is enough. Did some things in the preseason, did some great things in the regular season. Well, really good. I'm going to say great. Did some really good things in the regular season. Sure. Fantastic. Insurance policy for RB2. Bring him back. That is basically you looking Jay and Blue in the face and saying, love what you did in the regular season finale.

[Patrick Walker]

And I think, I think in doing that, Malik Davis earned a lot of favor with the coaching staff and with the head coach. I mean, like he talked about him constantly, about his work ethic and the growth, the maturity, growth that he had from last season to this season. So absolutely, sign Millie Davis if you can right now as insurance for Javante Williams. But like, still, I think the opportunity is right there with Jaden Blue if he's able to kind of have his head on right.

[Chris Beam]

I Agree. And I also think.

[Patrick Walker]

Not that he does it, you know,

[Chris Beam]

I think that the presence of a Miles Sanders. Not Miles Sanders, Malik Davis. Because I do believe of those two, I'd go Malik Davis. The presence of a Malik Davis keeps that motivating factor present for Jaden Blue. I think the worst thing you can do right now is Jaden Blue works on consistently maturing in the role is to. To allow him to believe that it's his job to lose, even if it's his job to lose at RB2. I think you need to plunk that. That variable in front of him and say, we believe in you, but dot, dot, dot.

[Kyle Yeomans]

So what you guys are saying, that if, let's say Javante Williams has a unfortunate circumstance, you're okay with either Miles Sanders or specifically a Malik Davis to fill that role?

[Chris Beam]

I would be.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Because let's say, like Jaden Blue right now, he has too much to Prove to be RB1.

[Chris Beam]

Oh, yes.

[Kyle Yeomans]

So to be RB2.

[Chris Beam]

Agreed.

[Kyle Yeomans]

You have to have at least something there to prove that he's RB1. I don't look at this running back room and say there's a guy there that if Williams goes down, I feel confident in.

[Chris Beam]

I feel like if Williams goes down and Malik Davis is in the building. Malik has shown you enough that he can be an RB one in spurts. And in that spurt, that stretch of time wherein Williams is down due to injury, knock on all the possible wood here, that the tandem of Malik Davis and Jaden Blue can get it done in that pocket of time is what I. Is what I believe.

[Patrick Walker]

Yeah. In total agreements with that. But I think you need the maturity

[Chris Beam]

of a Malik also sprinkling in Phil Muffler as a good Dallas Hill runner.

[Kyle Yeomans]

I think all of those guys are going to. I think all of those guys are going to get an opportunity to compete when we get to Oxnard, that all those guys are going to be there. And I bet you there's one more name in there too.

[Chris Beam]

It's either going to be a free

[Kyle Yeomans]

agent signing some veteran or somebody that's on the open market, or you're. You're going to see a late draft pick or another undrafted free agent because this. This draft class of running backs is not as deep as it was. Yeah, it's not as deep as it was last year. And Dallas is not in a position, especially without a day two pick to go into spin picks at running back. So I think it would be a D A udfa, but it wouldn't shock me if they bring in somebody else to try and evaluate along.

[Chris Beam]

They could carry five. On a 90 man roster, you know, you get the UDFA because right now

[Kyle Yeomans]

it's on a 90 man.

[Chris Beam]

On a 90 man roster, you not counting Hunter Lipke, you got three right now. You got Javante, Williams, Jay and Blue Phil Mafa. You get a udfa, there's your fourth. You bring in Sanders if you want to come back, bring, you know, circle the block back on Sanders or get another, you know, low cost running back. I could see them having five at the start of minicamp and then decide if they want to carry five into training camp or maybe chop that down and say four plus Hunter Lipke. So, I mean, you can play the numbers game when you have 90 men on your roster.

[Kyle Yeomans]

As much as I love Javante Williams and I love what he did in 2025 and I love that the, that he's coming back and the deal that he's on, all of those factors, you know what I say? And hope is not a strategy. I just hope he stays healthy throughout another year of being a bell cow at the same level and the same significance that he was this past year and be healthy enough to where the playoffs are still in your sight.

[Chris Beam]

Fix his offensive line.

[Kyle Yeomans]

It sounds good to me. But even with that being said, like, things happen.

[Patrick Walker]

Absolutely.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Some of the most durable running backs in all of football get hurt. That's just part of it. So what are you going to do when that happens? And I don't know if I feel confident right now in the room below that. And this is something I've said since training camp in past years, not even just this year, but in past years. Because I look at this room and I see a lot of hope and developmental guys and people that you feel like can take a step forward. Jaden Blue is a perfect example. He has the skill set, he has the burst, he has the speed, all of those elements. But can he actually take a maturity leap forward and can he take an impact leap forward physicality from a pass protection standpoint? All of those things. I want to see more from the rest of that group. Getting Javante back is huge. Huge, because then it's the rest of the guys that you have to worry about instead of your RB one. And so I'm happy with everything to this point. All right. This is also the first show that we've had since we learned about Christian Parker. We learned what he wants to do on the defensive side of the ball. Is the 3, 4 switch in scheme, a massive talking point that we're not talking about yet. We'll talk about it when we return with more Talking cowboys right after this.

[Uber Eats Announcer]

Get almost anything you need delivered with Uber Eats. What do we mean by almost? Well, you can't get a well groomed lawn delivered, but you can get a chicken parm delivered. A day at the lake? That's a no. A Philly cheesesteak? That's a yes. An afternoon stroll? Sorry, no. A burrito bowl? Happily, yes. What about a day of sunshine? Not happening. A box of fine wines? Yes, that is happening. Delivery is on its way. Okay, how about some clear skies? Nope. Well, then how about some French fries? Yep. A little escape? No. A delicious bowl of grapes? Yes. Yes, that. How about a freshly cut lawn? Can't help you there, but barbecued prawns? Order it and it's on its way. Get almost almost anything delivered with Uber Eats. Order now. Alcohol and select markets. Product availability may vary by region. See app for details. Get almost almost anything delivered with Uber Eats. Order now.

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Lowe's no. Sundays are for football, so tackle your home improvement projects by Saturday and earn your Sunday with great deals on LG and Bosch appliances. Select Bounty and Swiffer cleaning products and more. Then once your to do list is done, get ready to kick back, relax and enjoy the game. Shop in store or online now and earn your Sunday with help from Lowe's, official partner of the NFL.

[Chris Beam]

How's it going? You see that Cowboys game? Oh, I watched. Been seeing some good things. Totally. They have some talent.

[Patrick Walker]

Yup.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Some great talent.

[Chris Beam]

And they got some fight. Hoping this is the year. Me too. Oh yo, I'm Cody, by the way. I'm Travis. Nice to meet you, Travis. Go Cowboys. Go Cowboys.

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Make a new friend based solely on their shirt choice. What would you like the power to do? Bank of America the official bank of the Dallas Cowboys. Copyright 2025 bank of America Corporation.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Cowboys fans, we've got big news. Black Rifle Energy is now available at Texas 711 stores. And for a limited time, you can score two cans for just $6 at participating locations. These cans pack a serious punch. 200 milligrams of caffeine, veteran crafted flavor and the clean energy you need to power through those long days. So the next time you roll into your neighborhood, 711 here in Texas, grab that two for six dollar black rifle energy deal and fuel up the American way. Black Rifle Coffee America's coffee.

[Chris Beam]

Every day begins with a promise. A promise to work hard and to build a future. That's why we're here, providing the tools, expertise and John Deere equipment you have relied on for generations to help you get the job done right. We're with you. That's our promise to you. Because no matter the project or the challenge you're facing, we're with you.

[AT&T Announcer]

We're united at, AT and T. We guarantee our network so you can talk college football with your BFF while taking Buster to the vet.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Hey, yeah. I can't believe he ate the whole

[Chris Beam]

thing of chicken wings.

[Kyle Yeomans]

And I can't believe we're staging a comeback.

[Chris Beam]

Touchdown.

[AT&T Announcer]

Yes, staying connected matters. That's why in the rare event of a network outage, you'll automatically get a bill credit for a full day service. For wireless downtime lasting 60 minutes or more caused by a single incident impacting 10 or more towers must be connected to impacted tower at onset of outage. Restrictions and exclusions apply. Catt.com guarantee for full details,

[Kyle Yeomans]

Back to Talking Cowboys. Back here on Talking Cowboys, presented by Black Rifle Coffee company, the official coffee of the Dallas Cowboys. What was that?

[Chris Beam]

Josh Mouth? He was like, what are you doing? I was like trying to get comfortable. Trying to get.

[Patrick Walker]

The new setup is interesting for sure.

[Chris Beam]

It is. Yeah, it is. We're interested.

[Patrick Walker]

We're trying something.

[Chris Beam]

Let us know how you feel about the new setup. Did we are trying something new. We are interested to hear what the fans have to say about it because obviously we do this for you guys

[Kyle Yeomans]

and gals and whether you like it

[Chris Beam]

or it or you hate it or

[Kyle Yeomans]

you don't like it or whatever, all feedback. You can direct it to Chris Beam at Derek Eagleton. Just right at it. Let's go straight to the top. Honestly, like if you want to tag Jerry too do. Do that too. Just tag everybody. We'll do. We'll. We'll see if it goes. Jerry's gets anywhere.

[Chris Beam]

Let Jerry focus. Let him get a couple things on his focus.

[Kyle Yeomans]

True that focus. One of those things that was on his plate was hiring a defensive coordinator and the Cowboys finally get to hear from him. Or Cowboys fans, I should say, finally get to hear from them.

[Patrick Walker]

We got, last week we got the announcement like literally after we talked on Talking Cowboys last week. We were saying like, I can't wait till we hear from Christian Parker. And then not 20, 30 minutes, probably 20 minutes spoken after the episode ended. They were like, hey, by the way, tomorrow, Christian Parker press conference.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Par for the course.

[Patrick Walker]

Yeah.

[Kyle Yeomans]

That is how they're used to.

[Chris Beam]

They do us here in Talking Cowboy.

[Kyle Yeomans]

That's part of it. But we, we have prime time because everything else falls.

[Patrick Walker]

Yeah.

[Kyle Yeomans]

You know, they had to wait for us to get out of the way. The. The good thing about it is we've had kind of a week to. To chew on it and to like, dissect what he said, because there was a lot of information.

[Chris Beam]

Yeah, buddy.

[Kyle Yeomans]

A lot of information that was spewed throughout that press conference. Because when it comes to Christian Parker specifically, he. He's exactly what we. We outlined last Tuesday. Extremely intelligent, well learned, very grounded and intense. Remember, I used the word intense. Yeah, that was an intense press conference.

[Patrick Walker]

As he quoted the Art of War

[Kyle Yeomans]

by Sun Tzu, it felt like every word had something just significant about it.

[Patrick Walker]

He's like a philosopher of defense, if you will.

[Kyle Yeomans]

And he commands a room, which.

[Patrick Walker]

I'm up so much.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Yeah, you're getting into it. I. He commanded a room was really impressive. And I can see why the team is.

[Chris Beam]

Is.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Is excited about what he's going to bring from a leadership standpoint and from a player relationship and communication standpoint, because he communicated to the media quite well what his intentions were with the team. And one of those might be running a 3, 4.

[Chris Beam]

No might about it. There is no might.

[Kyle Yeomans]

He said multiple.

[Chris Beam]

He said multiple base. And then he immediately definitively said that the base would be a 3 4, which some other said. Say again, Josh. Interesting. Listen, man, first of all, my defensive coordinator is up there with the Cartier zone and, you know, the lemon pepper stepper. So let's talk about it. But yeah, go out there and whoop that trick. But seriously, when it comes to Christian Parker, and I said this on Twitter and I've said this in articles, let's. Let's make sure that we express the excitement for the potential that we see in him, but also temper it with the expectation of reality. He's not called plays yet. He will have growing pains. And when those growing pains hit, let's just keep in mind that this is his first year going through that process. But it's also true that when you see players like Cooper DeJean, who now, unprompted, is bringing up Christian Parker and how he impacted the fact that he's a first team all pro, and then Patrick certain, obviously, and then Quinn and Mitchell, when you hear those players just talk about Christian Parker and other coaches, and then you see the staff that he's built around him. Yeah. And then you hear him speak, it all begins to come together. Speaking to the point of the 3, 4, something that we talked about here on Talking Cowboys as the staff was being built, because while they were interviewing candidates for the position coaches, none of those were defensive ends coaches. They were outside linebackers coaches.

[Kyle Yeomans]

We tried to say that last week.

[Chris Beam]

We tried. Gave you.

[Patrick Walker]

The writing was on the wall.

[Kyle Yeomans]

It was all there.

[Chris Beam]

So now they have Uzo de Rebay as outside linebackers coach. They have Scott Simons as inside linebackers coach. And those two got finalized before Christian park stepped to the podium and said, yeah, it's a 3, 4 base. Now you'll see some four man fronts, you'll see some five man fronts, but it's a 3, 4 base. I think that's significant for a lot of reasons and I'll, I'll drop it to the panel after I say this. But one of the most. First, one of the biggest reasons it's so significant is because it marks the first time since the DeMarcus Ware era that the Cowboys have run 3, 4. The Cowboys are traditionally 4 3. Hell, they were 43 during their super bowl, excuse me, super bowl dynasty years. In the 90s, they experimented with 3, 4. In the bill Parcells era, they had, they had wins, they had success. They didn't have the postseason success they needed. But then they abandoned it, went back to their, you know, comfort of their 4, 3. Now here we are at 3, 4. But this is also a 3, 4 that features Quinn and Williams and Kenny Clark and, you know, osa, hopefully getting back to prime. Osa Solomon Thomas, hopefully taking another step now in his second year and a contract year at that for the Cowboys. So the defensive line, interior is, is set to cook on a three, four. You got to get those, you got to get those ends figured out in a big way. Because you have defensive ends that are free agents, but you don't technically need defensive ends. You need versatile offense outside linebackers is what you.

[Patrick Walker]

Yep, I, I totally agree. And I mean, if you look back, if you, if you kind of look back in the wayback machine, Greg Ellis was once a defensive end that they converted to an outside linebacker who had his best seasons as an outside linebacker. To me, I hope that there is some flexibility with the players that you currently have because you have guys that are sort of in that tweener body stage.

[Chris Beam]

Right?

[Patrick Walker]

They could do, they could do both.

[Chris Beam]

Easy. Absolutely easy.

[Patrick Walker]

Even if you have a Jadavian Clowney comeback, if you resign him, that would be excellent for a 3, 4 because he has that length, he has that body type. That makes sense for it.

[Kyle Yeomans]

You need like two more of him, though. Okay, go get him.

[Chris Beam]

Go get him.

[Kyle Yeomans]

But that's, that's, that's the thing is if. And Isaiah spoke to this eloquently last week was if you're going to run the 34 you can use some of the current personnel that you have, but you're really going to have to overturn a lot.

[Chris Beam]

Exactly.

[Patrick Walker]

Yeah.

[Kyle Yeomans]

And in an but what better year to do that in that I wrote

[Chris Beam]

an article called Open market on Dallas Cowboys.com yesterday. Make sure you check that out. It lists four to five or more. Go find out outside linebacker options.

[Kyle Yeomans]

I love that you're excited about that and I love that it is the right year. If you're going to overhaul a defense, overhaul the worst defense you've had in franchise history. I completely understand. But from a realistic standpoint can you overhaul an entire defense and still get better? It's hard to get worse but still get better to the point where you need them to be middle of the road for this offense to be successful and to win football games next year.

[Patrick Walker]

Getting better than worst in the league.

[Kyle Yeomans]

But that's what I'm saying like you seems easy. You can get better than worse in the league. Absolutely. But you also have to be realistic in how you build this team. There are so many holes as is with the current roster you have. So not only are you going to fill those holes but then you got to turn around in the new ones that are created by changing system. You're cool with just throwing resources and throwing people at that anyways? Yes, I'd be because you have cornerstones, you've got guys.

[Chris Beam]

Yeah, exactly. I would be more concerned if you didn't have Quinn and Williams and Kenny Clark and OSA and Solomon. I would to my answer to the question without those four guys would be ooh, this is going to be tough in year but because you have those four guys four anchors right there in the middle of your defensive line now that allows you and you also have and I said it before, I'll say it again. I think Donovan is Roccu will thrive as an outside linebacker. I do believe so. It'll be interesting to see if Genevion Clowney is brought back there. Stephen Jones said that he's they're deciding on if he's a fit in Christian Parker's scheme which just goes to versatility. Can you run three four and you know when there's only three down man front I think he can he's long, he's lanky, he has twitch and bend. I think he can do it go get two more guys. But I do think when it comes to the outside linebackers your edge rushers I do think Christian Parker, in addition to having as Raku, bring back Clowney, go get a couple more edge rushers, make a splash. And free agency there is, you know, and this is, I'll preface this. These are guys on expiring contracts effective March 11th through 13th. If these players resign new deals before then, they will not be free agents. But I'm going to say the names as expiring contracts. Bradley Chubb is one of those names. He's my top name. For example, you have guys like Bradley Chub, outside linebackers proven coming off of strong gears, still in their prime. You add with Christian Parker. Absolutely, absolutely. Add a guy like Chub, retain a guy like Clowney. You got Ezra, you got the anchors in the middle. Yeah. Starting you can. Starting you can, you can flip the switch from four.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Tell me right now you could run a 17. I don't care. As long as you've got those guys. I feel confident your one has to be Quinn.

[Chris Beam]

Yeah, we'll be.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Yeah, Quinn's the one. Every everybody else is standing up. Like you could, you could put it anywhere. As long as you got Chubb, you got, you've got Quinn and you can talk me into anything. So I get it. I completely understand. I think that's where my one worry is with this, is because there's a lot of hopium right now in the front office being aggressive and there's a lot of talk about the front office being aggressive. But Cowboys fans, we've fallen into this before where we've looked at it and like, oh, this has to be the year they attack it. This has to be a time where they're going to create 100 million, $30 million of cap space by restructuring all these deals, which they're going to do a certain level of that at some point in time. It may not be the 130 that's being floated out there on, on Twitter and social media, but it's going to be close to that.

[Patrick Walker]

Right?

[Kyle Yeomans]

So if it, if it turns into that, then great. And they want to spend it, then great. But we've gotten to this point before where we've looked at the Cowboys front office and said, can you, can you do something? Can you, can you poking at it? Yeah, you poking. Can we, can we get aggressive here? And Javante Williams, great start. Awesome. Love it. They've already created a little bit of cap room with cutting Logan Wilson, which we didn't mentioned earlier or mentioned earlier. They cut Logan Wilson, create 6 million in cap. So they're moving pieces around. They're moving around as they can be. I just want them, I want Cowboys fans to temper expectations of let's overhaul the defense and Bradley Chubb's going to be here and this free agent is going to be here and they're going to draft two all pros in the first round and it's going to be incredible. It's going to take some time and Christian Parker needs a little time as a first year defensive play caller. That's where I want to just tap the brakes a little bit because that's a lot of moving and changing and shifting for somebody that hasn't done it before.

[Patrick Walker]

What's one move that they could make, free agent notwithstanding, what's one move they can make that kind of tempers your worry there as far as switching overseas?

[Kyle Yeomans]

Oh, so like it would convince me that they would be aggressive. Yeah, you got to sign a blue chip dn, outside linebacker, edge rusher, whatever you want to do. Like whatever. Like a proven guy, a proven defensive end. And if you want to sign one of those guys, great. The other one would probably be Pickens. If I'm being completely honest, they don't end up tagging Pickens or they tag them and they get a deal done quickly before the draft, let's say before the draft, then I feel confident that there's going to be something there.

[Patrick Walker]

There.

[Kyle Yeomans]

But I think the first one's more likely than the second one.

[Chris Beam]

I'm going to say that way. First wave, week one of free agent, free agency, legal tampering, get in on some of these names. Bradley Chub is one I think is also reasonable for the Cowboys as far as projected pay is concerned. But let's talk about unreasonable. Okay, you want a whale. Jaylen Phillips, projected $17 million. You want a bigger whale. Khalil Mack. You see what I mean now? Now that's upwards of like $20 million. You would have to really work some things around with those numbers. Again, like you mentioned, like you alluded to, they can free up 130, $131 million in salary cap space just by hitting restructure triggers and they don't need players permission to do so. But when you start talking about Jalen Phillips, who last year, who coached him, right. Christian Parker. Okay, so some of these names, like a Joey Bosa, if that, if that's your fancy, odafa oa quitty pay, Joseph Asai, those I VIP club because those are 17 to 20. Yeah. Those are the guys that aren't. When you look at their price tag, you're going to say, oh, That's. The Cowboys are out on that because they also do need to get Pickens under contract. They need to make these other moves. Although getting Pickens under contract, guess what? It does. It comes off of that $28 million. Now you have more cap space. That's why it's. That's why it's so critical to get that deal done as quickly as possible so that you can make these types of.

[Kyle Yeomans]

If we come back next week. Week, and they've signed.

[Chris Beam]

Well, they, they're probably like 37 minutes after we finish the show.

[Patrick Walker]

They're going to cool with that here

[Kyle Yeomans]

in about 17 minutes.

[Patrick Walker]

Anytime they want to do that.

[Chris Beam]

Great.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Yeah. Anytime they do that, I'm cool with it. But that would be a move that would prove to me they're going to be aggressive and something's going to happen. Speaking of the front office, let's take our second break.

[Chris Beam]

If, if news broke that the Cowboys signed Khalil Mack, would you be. Would you.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Would you.

[Chris Beam]

Would you be on the side of the track that says we are so back. Or would you still be on the side of the track that says, let's

[Patrick Walker]

see, let's see, let's see passes. I mean, his prime.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Yeah, his prime is in the back. He's still a good player.

[Patrick Walker]

Yeah, the.

[Kyle Yeomans]

I don't want to just go for names. Just for names.

[Chris Beam]

That's fair.

[Kyle Yeomans]

They got to be a fit if they, if they're going to sign Khalil Mack and they're going to do something like that.

[Chris Beam]

I think Jalen Phillips is.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Jalen Phillips, I think would be a fit. And it may not be as big of a name, but I think it's.

[Chris Beam]

It's definitely still a big name. I mean, Khalil Mack is a future hall of Famer, so that's different. But Jalen Phillips, still very much in his prime. Coming from a Christian Parker. Not Christian Parker led defense, but a defense that had Christian Parker as one of the leaders of it. Outside linebacker, still effective, coming off of one of his better seasons. Yeah. Yeah.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Don't just go get names to get names. Go get fits.

[Chris Beam]

I agree.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Go get guys that you. That are going to fit the culture, that are going to maybe fit the system, but you can build the system with.

[Patrick Walker]

Right.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Because that's what you're doing. You're building the system as it goes along. And that was part of what Christian Parker talked about. All right. When we come back, the front office did speak yesterday. Stephen Jones at the NFL combine might hear from again. Hear from him again this week at some point. So we're going to talk about what he hit on. One of those is George Pickens when we return with more Talking Cowboys right after this.

[Uber Eats Announcer]

Get almost anything you need delivered with Uber Eats. What do we mean by almost? Well. Well, you can't get a well groomed lawn delivered, but you can get a chicken parm delivered. A day at the lake? That's a no. A Philly cheesesteak? That's a yes. An afternoon stroll? Sorry, no. A burrito bowl? Happily, yes. What about a day of sunshine? Not happening. A box of fine wines? Yes, that is happening. Delivery is on its way. Okay, how about some clear skies? Nope. Well then how about some French fries? Yep. A little escape? No. A delicious bowl of grapes? Yes. Yes, that's that. How about a freshly cut lawn? Can't help you there, but barbecued prawns? Order it and it's on its way. Get almost almost anything delivered with Uber Eats. Order now. Alcohol in select markets. Product availability may vary by region. See app for details. Get almost almost anything delivered with Uber Eats. Order now.

[Lowe's Announcer]

Lowe's Nose Sundays are for football, so tackle your home improvement projects by Saturday and earn your Sunday with great deals on LG and Bosch appliances, Bounty and Swiffer cleaning products and more. Then once your to do list is done, get ready to kick back, relax and enjoy the game. Shop in store or online now and earn your Sunday with help from Lowe's official partner of the NFL at AT&T.

[AT&T Announcer]

We guarantee our network so you can talk college football with your BFF while taking Buster to the vet.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Hey yeah, I can't believe he ate

[Chris Beam]

the whole thing of chicken wings.

[Kyle Yeomans]

And I can't believe we're staging a comeback.

[AT&T Announcer]

Staying connected matters. That's why in the rare event of a network outage, you'll automatically get a bill credit for a full day's service. For wireless downtime lasting 60 minutes or more caused by a single incident impacting 10 or more towers must be connected to impacted tower on set of outage. Restrictions and exclusions apply. Catt.com guarantee.

[Kyle Yeomans]

For full details, Cowboys fans, we've got big news. Black Rifle Energy is now available at Texas Seven Eleven stores and for a limited time you can score two cans for just $6 at participating locations. These cans pack a serious punch, 200 milligrams of caffeine, veteran crafted flavor and the clean energy you need to power through those long days. So the next time you roll into your neighborhood, 711 here in Texas, grab that two for six dollar black rifle energy deal and Fuel up the American way. Black Rifle Coffee. America's coffee.

[Dr Pepper Announcer]

If you shout how bout them cowboys. You have that undeniable passion that's the heart of Cowboys nation. And if you like to drink Dr. Pell pepper, you love the unique blend of its 23 flavors together. Your one of a kind fandom paired with the one of a kind taste of a delicious ice cold Dr. Pepper is the game day lineup that can't be beat. Better yet, gather Your Cowboys and Dr. Pepper fan friends to watch the next game and crack open a delicious ice cold Dr. Pepper for everyone. The wins will be even tastier. It's a pepper thing.

[Kyle Yeomans]

It's the official men's skin care brand of the Dallas Cowboys. Jack Bull Black. And right now Cowboys fans could get 15 off their 75 order plus because every deal needs a playmaker. Your order will include a free five piece skin care set and free shipping. The Jack Black Playmaker is four of Jack's favorites and a full sized intense therapy lip balm. Make a play for the [e-mail] Cowboys with the code cowboysvip that's getjackblack.com Cowboys with the Code Cowboys VIP back to talking Cowboys. Back here on Talking Cowboys with Patrick Walker and Josh Rodriguez. Kyle Yeomans were presented by Black Rifle Coffee Company, the official copy of the Dallas Cowboys in this segment. This segment is presented by Invisalign, the official smile of the Dallas Cowboys, which is also. I've always thought that's funny and I think I've said it before, but when you have Invisalign, they tell you not to drink coffee with your Invisalign in because it like tents it and like makes it yellowish.

[Patrick Walker]

But like black purple coffee doesn't do that.

[Kyle Yeomans]

No, Black Rifle doesn't do that.

[Chris Beam]

You don't want your Invisalign tenant. Just get some nice 5% that's 5% over but uses a nice 5% 10 on your Invisalign.

[Kyle Yeomans]

When I was doing Invisalign, I actually had the, the mindset of like wait, okay, so if it's gonna tint the Invisalign, why don't I just drink the coffee as normal so that way it doesn't actually hit my teeth. Yeah, like, so that way it doesn't like make your teeth yellow or whatever like coffee is supposedly doing. But yeah, whatever.

[Chris Beam]

I don't, I don't know. I'm quirky, man. Maybe I'm quirky. Maybe the rest of the world is quirky. I don't ever really understand why people, when they drink, they allow the fluid or whatever they're drinking to go through the teeth. Teeth, right. Because I mean, if you think about

[Kyle Yeomans]

it how who's doing that?

[Chris Beam]

There are people, I've seen people to

[Patrick Walker]

go through the teeth.

[Kyle Yeomans]

I mean it kind of touches your teeth.

[Chris Beam]

Exactly.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Naturally.

[Chris Beam]

But they're.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Right, but they're, are they drinking like this?

[Chris Beam]

No, I'm not saying they're being weirdos. That's weird.

[Kyle Yeomans]

That's what I mean.

[Lowe's Announcer]

I'm saying there's a way drinking like an empty.

[Chris Beam]

What you're drinking to not touch your, your fronts at all. Nah. Okay. All right, all right, all right. Back on topic, let's go to Stephen.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Jo yesterday at the NFL spoke to some of the media members out there in Indianapolis. We'll be out there tomorrow. But Stephen, I mean, was very clear about what we've said the entire time. In the end, the, the entire social and media landscape took it and said, oh, they expect to tag George Pickens? Well, yeah, they haven't done it yet, but they do. They've expected that for six months now.

[Chris Beam]

This morning. Yeah.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Sun back up again. Anything that Steven said yesterday, Patrick, I know you're, you've written on it already. What, what are some of the things that you took away?

[Chris Beam]

I mean, obviously he said the expected. Like you said, Kyle, the Cowboys, if they, if they feel they need more time, they're going to hit the franchise tag on George Pickens. But it's with the goal of buying more time. What stood out to me in that conversation was what Stephen Jones said. He, he noted Dak Prescott, he noted the Marcus Lawrence. Now granted, granted those two guys were tagged more than once, but it's also true that they didn't play under the final time that they were tagged because the tags were rescinded. Dak Prescott was send it fairly early in his second tag, I think three days later. And DeMarcus Lawrence's was rescinded in April not long after. So that is to say that just because the Cowboys play place a franchise tag on a player doesn't mean it's going to stick. It gives them until mid July to get a full deal done before that NFL deadline passes. The concern there then becomes, well, that means you're carrying a 20, 28 million dollar fully guaranteed salary cap hit the entire summer until slash unless you get that deal done. That goes to the second thing that stood out to me about what Stephen Jones said, which was we can do everything we need to do, end quote. With the $28 million there. So for those fans that are out there saying, well, you know, if they extend George Pickens, they won't have money to do much. Well, that's a flawed argument because if they extend George Pickens, they have more money to do what they need to do versus the $28 million fully guaranteed. And for those that are saying, well, if we have him on the franchise tag, if the Cowboys carry him on that tag, they won't be able to do anything. We've said it in. In the previous segments. 130/million dollars can be freed up by restructures alone that do not require players to approve. And then, of course, you're going to have attrition. Logan Wilson was released to free up six and a half million. We, we don't know who the Cowboys might be considering doing that to as well to free up more money. Point being you. Yeah, I know. I'm. Yeah. Point being that you're right. Right. Money's not the issue when it comes to getting George Pickins locked in and getting these deals done potentially in free agency, making these splashes and still having money because you have to have a certain amount earmarked for the draft as well.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Yeah.

[Chris Beam]

Right. So Stephen Jones around 13. Yeah. I love what I'm hearing from Stephen Jones. The only thing I didn't like when he. It's true, though, doesn't mean I like it just because it's true. Right. It's true that a deal of this magnitude has so many machinations that it. It can take time. And Stephen Jones said these take time. These types of deals take time. That's true. I don't like it, but that's true.

[Patrick Walker]

You don't like those words.

[Chris Beam]

I don't like those words, but it's true.

[Kyle Yeomans]

We don't have a table to hit.

[Chris Beam]

We don't like those words, but it's true. So, you know, Cowboys have until March 3rd to either sign a deal with George Pickens or to apply the franchise tag, one or the other. If the tag is applied, don't go panicking because they still have until mid July to do. Do something.

[Patrick Walker]

Question for you guys, though, granted, you know, it may take time to get George Pickens done. If it's one of those tumultuous signings yet again that we have to deal with. Are you guys at all. And we're not this podcast, but we're going to be this podcast for two seconds because we got a new setup and everything.

[Chris Beam]

Okay.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Do you trade George Pickens on the tag?

[Patrick Walker]

I'm asking you. Patrick. We're not done. Year, buddy.

[Chris Beam]

Are you serious?

[Patrick Walker]

I'm having the conversation.

[Chris Beam]

Hell to the I don't like. Oh no. I'm not doing it. I'm not doing it. You're not doing it. Why would I do it?

[Patrick Walker]

For nothing. I mean for anything.

[Chris Beam]

Everything has a price. I want your soul. But what I'm saying is for those that. Cuz someone post a question to me on Twitter yesterday? No, see, would you trade George Pickens for another first round pick or something like that? Think about what you have in George Pickens and think about what you're looking to get.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Yeah.

[Chris Beam]

With a. With a draft pick. What you're looking to get with a draft pick is George Pickens.

[Patrick Walker]

Yeah.

[Chris Beam]

You already have George Pickens. What is George? 24, 25 something.

[Kyle Yeomans]

25.

[Chris Beam]

25.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Going into 25.

[Patrick Walker]

Yeah.

[Chris Beam]

Going into 25. This is a. A newly minted 25 year old coming off of the best 1400 yards, nine touchdowns. Right. Narrative of the locker room. Completely debunked. Yeah. Okay. He has the chemistry, he has the talent. And the upside hasn't even been completely achieved yet. And he's in his mid.

[Patrick Walker]

But he takes off plays.

[Chris Beam]

Patric. I don't want to hear that crap.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Most receiving yards in the NFL.

[Chris Beam]

People who don't even check their outlook like they're supposed to. You're taking off plays in the office.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Most receiving yards in the NFL since 2022. This is when Pickens was drafted. Justin Jefferson, Jamar Chase, CD Lamb, Amanra St. Brown, AJ Brown, Tyreek Hill, Devonte Adams, George Pickens. So he's eighth on the list.

[Chris Beam]

Come on.

[Kyle Yeomans]

In the last.

[Chris Beam]

Not even hit a C. Ceiling it.

[Kyle Yeomans]

And that's one, one great 1,000 yard receiving year.

[Chris Beam]

He's now with a highly effective all pro quarterback.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Yep.

[Chris Beam]

And a complimentary piece that said multi time all pro. Yeah. And he has a. A running back that's now secured on three years that has Pro bowl potential.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Sure.

[Chris Beam]

What you don't do is remove George Pickens from that and hope a draft pick can fix it. Otherwise. Guys, now you're back in the. And no shade to the guy, but the truth is the truth. Now you're back in the whole Jalen Tolbert conversation. So for so long, fans were like, well, we need a complimentary piece to CD Lamb. Why are they shoving Tolbert down our throat? Yeah, okay. Well, you got the, you got the definitive piece. You got two wide receiver ones. Now you want to ship one out for a draft prospect. Be all. Be the first rounder that you have no clue if they're going to pan

[Patrick Walker]

out the way that George Pickens has.

[Chris Beam]

The way that Jo right now.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Not to mention he is the cd.

[Patrick Walker]

Right.

[Kyle Yeomans]

The compliment. He is the cd. The way that he fits with. With Dak, the way he fits the system that Brian shot and I recalls. I mean, I don't think it's a possibility. I know there's been chatter about it among league circles.

[Patrick Walker]

You almost have to have the conversation because it's. It's a possibility.

[Kyle Yeomans]

I don't.

[Patrick Walker]

I don't remember. We have PTSD from Micah Parsons.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Yeah. Everybody's. Everybody's scared about what happened with Micah. And that was kind of its own. Own bubble situation. The. The conversation in league circles is that Pickens wouldn't get more than a second. No, that's what it is. That's what the circles are.

[Chris Beam]

You can't even get me on first, let alone a second.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Exactly. So that. That automatically takes me out of the conversation. But the league circles are saying a second round pick is what it would be because if from a. 30 other teams. 31 if you include the Steelers. I'm saying 30 teams that would want to. To attain George Pickens. They still look at it as three years of solid production and semi off the field problems in Pittsburgh. One year of unbelievable production and incredible teammate in the building. But with some like small fines and things like that. In terms of like being late to meetings or whatever. All of that.

[Chris Beam]

24. Okay.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Exactly. Is so all of it is minor off the field stuff. But they've. They saw it as. He was under. Under pressure in a contract year. So he had to rein it in. He had to bet on himself and he had to stick it out. And that's why he had 1400 of the season. He did. Which is what the league looks at it like whether that's accurate or not. That's what the league looks at. I'm as a Cowboys reporter and as a. Somebody that. That is interested in what he does for this organization. I think he does more for this organization than a second round pick ever could.

[Chris Beam]

Yeah.

[Kyle Yeomans]

So even with all that to be said, it's a possibility because if things break down and it is Michael Parsons 2.0. Which honestly even if it is that it would have to be worse than that because it would have to happen before the draft.

[Chris Beam]

Correct. It would.

[Kyle Yeomans]

It wouldn't go into training camp like it did last year. It wouldn't go into a holdout like it did. It would have to be so bad and break down so significantly in order to trade him because they would need to trade him before April 24th and that's not going to happen in my eyes. So I, I, as much as the trade conversation is there, it's a big

[Patrick Walker]

time fat no, it's a moot point.

[Chris Beam]

And for, for, for the league representatives that might be looking at it from the capacity in which you just stated. Oh, well, he showed up and showed out in Dallas because contract year and he had to, to I would counter that with, well, you know who was throwing him the ball in Pittsburgh?

[Kyle Yeomans]

Mason, Rudolph.

[Chris Beam]

Mason Rudolph and Justin Fields. Which one of those quarterbacks is going to help you get 1400 yards and nine touchdowns in the season? The answer is neither.

[Kyle Yeomans]

I think Justin is going to be okay this year. I think.

[Chris Beam]

Okay, neither of those were going to help you get 1400 yards, nine touchdowns in a Pro Bowl. Not none of them. Okay. So instead of looking at it as well, it was a contract year. That's why he did it. Look at it as, as in his contract year. It just so happened to be a contract year in which he finally got the right quarterback. In which he finally got a complimentary piece at wide receiver in which he finally got definitive running game shouts out to Naji Harris. They had a solid running game in Pittsburgh. So I'll give him that. But complimentary piece was not there for him. Pittsburgh quarterback was not there for him in Pittsburgh. And I would even argue that the offensive coordinator was not there for him in Pittsburgh.

[Patrick Walker]

That's more than fair.

[Chris Beam]

Right. So he got those three critical pieces to help him ascend to the next level of what George Pickens can be. And all of that happened to happen happen in a contract year. That's how it needs to be looked at.

[Kyle Yeomans]

And I think those in the building understand that.

[Chris Beam]

Yeah.

[Kyle Yeomans]

And the NFL might just say he, he was putting on his best behavior because he was in a, in a contract year and he didn't want to be.

[Patrick Walker]

The production's there.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Yeah. He didn't want to be negatively impacted by two organizations in the NFL that have long story success.

[Patrick Walker]

The production is there.

[Chris Beam]

That's.

[Patrick Walker]

You have to gloss right over that.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Completely agree.

[Chris Beam]

All right. All right.

[Kyle Yeomans]

That does it for us on talking Cowboys. I know we got to get out of here and then by next week we'll, we'll have already signed George Pickens. They're gonna, they're gonna move the draft up between now and then. They're gonna end up drafting somebody next week. It'll be incredible. Yeah. It's gonna feel like training camp all of a sudden.

[Chris Beam]

We have to go off to the combine first thing in the morning.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Yes. We're.

[Patrick Walker]

Safe travels, guys.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Thanks, guys. You're coming with us.

[Patrick Walker]

You're coming back

[Chris Beam]

on.

[Patrick Walker]

I'll stay in Patrick's room.

[Kyle Yeomans]

Why wouldn't you stay in my room?

[Patrick Walker]

I'm already.

[Chris Beam]

Yeah, we're used to it. Training camp, roomies. Air file.

[Kyle Yeomans]

I take that. I take offense to that. Yeah. Patrick and I will be out at the combine. Tommy. Tommy. Nicole Hutcherson is also out at the combine. They're out there right now, so we're going to join forces with them tomorrow. Be sure to follow all our Coverage on Dallas Cowboys.com@Voice of the Star at Kyle Yeomans excited about the combine. It's one of our favorite trips of the entire year. We're going to have a lot of info for you coming back next week. For Patrick, no see Walker, for Josh Rodriguez, for Chris Beam in the back. I'm Kyle Yeoman saying so long from talking cowboys. We'll see you next week. This has been a production of Dallas Cowboys.com and the Dallas Cowboys Football Club.

[Chris Beam]

How about this, Cowboys?

[Kyle Yeomans]

I'm U.S. transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. We all seem to be in a rush these days, from work to driving our kids around.

[Patrick Walker]

But when you're behind the wheel, please do not speed.

[Kyle Yeomans]

A few minutes saved by going faster is never worth the risk. So follow the speed limit, enjoy the drive, maybe bring some snacks for the kids.

[Patrick Walker]

And know that along the way you're

[Kyle Yeomans]

getting quality time with your family, paid for by nhtsa.