Cowboys Headlines: Aubrey nears deadline; is Dallas trying to trade up to jump rival?

Q: What is the deadline for the Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey's tender?

The deadline for Brandon Aubrey to sign his tender is Friday, after which he will either play for $5.81 million or hold out.

Q: Why might the Cowboys trade up in the draft?

The Cowboys may trade up to secure a player ahead of the division-rival Giants, particularly if they are interested in prospects like Arvell Reese or Sonny Styles.

Q: What record deal was offered to Brandon Aubrey by the Cowboys?

The Cowboys reportedly offered Brandon Aubrey a record deal, but specific details of the offer have not been disclosed.

Q: Who are the potential draft picks the Cowboys are considering?

The Cowboys are rumored to be eyeing players like Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles, and possibly Jeremiyah Love as they prepare for the draft.

Plenty of fans worried that the Cowboys were playing with fire when they placed a second-round tender on kicker Brandon Aubrey, opening up at least the possibility of another team swooping in to steal him away. The Cowboys had reportedly offered Aubrey a record deal, but the kicker's camp had hoped for more. So far, though, no one has bit. If there's no competing offer by Friday, Aubrey will either have to sign the tender and play 2026 for $5.81 million... or hold out.

There's also been no action on a George Pickens trade, at least according to Stephen Jones. So if Pickens is staying put, what happens if Ohio State wideout Carnell Tate is available with the 12th overall pick in the draft? It could happen, as the rumor mill now has Dallas shying away (or maybe not) from Reuben Bain. While the mocks are largely sticking with a DB at No. 12 and a front-seven defender at No. 20, there's also renewed belief that the Cowboys could trade up, specifically to jump the division-rival Giants. Who are both clubs eyeing that would spark such an aggressive move? Arvell Reese? Sonny Styles? Maybe even Jeremiyah Love?!?

Reese may be worth that kind of jump. The Buckeye may not end up being the No. 1 pick, but he's emerged as the best player available per one outlet. A trade up would make it even more critical that Dallas hits the jackpot on their remaining picks; several names heavily linked to the Cowboys (Keldric Faulk, D'Angelo Ponds) are on the list of "steals" who are currently being undervalued. And he may not be a "need" player for Dallas in 2026, but you should get to know Gennings Dunker. The Iowa offensive lineman is one of the most colorful characters in this year's class and sure to get a ton of coverage on draft night.

Elsewhere in league news, the Mike Vrabel/Dianna Russini scandal has perhaps come to a head; the insider has now resigned her post at The Athletic. Dexter Lawrence may not be leaving the NFC East after all, and safety Nasir Adderley is back in the NFL three years after abruptly retiring. And the NFL may be making a change to its scheduling formula starting with the 2029 season... but only if the schedule remains at 17 games.

Dallas Cowboys Top Headlines

An important deadline is approaching for Brandon Aubrey. Here’s what to know :: Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Link)
Cowboys WR George Pickens promises big year; Stephen Jones confirms no trade calls :: Cowboys Wire (Link)
2026 NFL Draft: Cowboys seeking 'culture-changing' first-rounders :: DallasCowboys.com (Link)
Mock draft consensus identifies 3 Cowboys candidates for No. 12, 20 :: Cowboys Wire (Link)
Draft Rumors: Cowboys will keep top edge rusher at arms length at 12 :: Cowboys Wire (Link)
NFL Draft trade rumors: Are the Dallas Cowboys trying to jump the Giants? :: Big Blue View (Link)
Possible Pick: Best player available approach could land Carnell Tate :: DallasCowboys.com (Link)
Offense? Why you shouldn't rule out Cowboys using a top draft pick on possible playmaker :: Dallas Morning News (Link)
Under-the-radar small-school draft prospect lands on Cowboys' visit list :: Cowboys Wire (Link)
Cowboys' 10 worst 1st-round draft picks in Jerry Jones era :: Cowboys Wire (Link)

More Pre-Draft Notes

2026 NFL Draft consensus rankings: Arvell Reese moves back into No. 1 spot :: The Athletic (Link)
Eight prospects who will be steals in the 2026 NFL draft :: SI.com (Link)
Meet Iowa's Gennings Dunker, the NFL draft's viral star :: ESPN (Link)

News & Headlines from Around the NFL

Dianna Russini resigns from Athletic following Mike Vrabel photos :: ESPN (Link)
Schoen: Giants have had ‘really good’ conversations with Dexter Lawrence reps after trade request :: The Athletic (Link)
Nasir Adderley walked away from football in 2022; why Colts signed him :: Indianapolis Star (Link)
NFL will likely be making a tweak to the scheduling formula if the regular season stays at 17 games :: CBS Sports (Link)