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Cowboys’ Pickens vs. Bland dilemma not about cap

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Landon Holifield | Last updated Jun 7, 2025 11:23 AM ET

We’ll be a good sport and play the either-or game: George Pickens is the answer.

Why? Because of the draft capital the Dallas Cowboys spent to acquire his services. If he walks after this season, then Dallas essentially wasted 75% of the 3rd round rookie contract they gave up — three years of cheap labor, gone. You don’t make that trade unless you plan to keep the player.

So keep the player.

But wait. Let's slow down. That's the answer ... but what is the question?

It's an online debate about whether the Cowboys can afford to keep both Bland and Pickens as future stars paid within the parameters of the salary cap.

And here’s the truth: this whole “Pickens or Bland” debate is built on a flawed premise. You don’t have to choose. Not if you manage the cap like a team with a plan.

Why? Because "Cap Hell'' is a myth. It’s a talking point, not a truth. The salary cap is real tomorrow but fake today. It’s not a hard team-building wall — it’s an accounting strategy. It can be stretched, manipulated, forecasted with precision, and restructured.

As our Mike Fisher has been pointing out for years, "It's the same as your household budget. Cash, check, credit card ... generally, you can find ways to afford what you need.''

Yes, the Cowboys will have big numbers on the books come 2026:

• Tyler Smith extension looming

• Micah Parsons and Osa in Year 1 of their new deals

• Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb in Year 2 of theirs

That’s the cost of retaining great players. But that’s the bed Dallas made — and they’ll have to lay in it.

Just don’t let them tell you one has to go, because at that point... they’re reclining in a bed of lies.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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