Roster instability continues for an Eagles divisional rival

Some things never change. The work is just beginning for the Philadelphia Eagles after introducing another solid draft class. There's also the permanent front-row seat to what their rivals are doing. The Dallas Cowboys find themselves navigating another offseason filled with wide receiver uncertainty, and once again, a contract dispute is at the center of it all.

This time, George Pickens headlines the conversation. He has yet to sign his franchise tag, as questions about his long-term future linger. And in typical Dallas fashion, the response has been to add more bodies to the room.

Enter Marquez Valdes-Scantling. The veteran receiver, now on his eighth team since entering the league in 2018, brings experience and speed, but also the label of a journeyman. For Eagles fans, he's also remembered for a crucial drop in a 2023 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, a moment that helped seal Philadelphia's victory on Monday Night Football.

That memory hasn't faded. The bigger story, however, isn't his addition. The bigger story is the pattern. Dallas has made a habit of letting contract situations with star players drag longer than expected.

A familiar script for the Cowboys

From Dak Prescott to CeeDee Lamb to , the Cowboys have consistently found themselves entangled in prolonged negotiations or standoffs. Now, it's Pickens' turn. Franchise-tagged but unsigned, he holds leverage. Without a signature on that tender, there's no obligation to report to workouts, and that uncertainty creates ripple effects throughout the roster. It's not just about one player. It's about timing, chemistry, and stability heading into a new season. And yet, the Cowboys continue to operate as if they have time. There are more questions than answers. Adding Valdes-Scantling doesn't resolve the issue. If anything, it highlights it.