NFL insider: Dallas Cowboys were ‘never in play’ for two free agents, potential trade candidate

The Dallas Cowboys made a headline-worthy trade on Wednesday, snagging George Pickens away from the Pittsburgh Steelers. A few more names have been linked to the Cowboys in recent weeks, two via free agency and another on the trade market. However, you can cross all of them off the list according to NFL Network’s Jane Slater.

Both running back Nick Chubb and Stephon Gilmore are on the open market currently. Gilmore even showed up at the facility recently but nothing came to fruition. Well, Slater says the Cowboys were “never in play” for those two guys.

“For those Cowboys fans seeking more….I checked on anything additional in the works for instance “are guys like Nick Chubb or Stephon Gilmore still in play?” The response “they were never in play'”, Slater said via X.

In a reply tweet, Slater revealed she also checked in on Breece Hall. The current New York Jets running back was the center of some trade rumors ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft. However, the same term was used when asking about Hall and the Cowboys. “Never in play.”

Running back and cornerback were both positions Dallas addressed during the draft. Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah were taken on Day 3, while Shavon Revel could wind up being a steal out of the third round if he recovers nicely from an ACL tear.

Adding at those two specific spots is still possible for the Cowboys, if not needed. However, Slater says the trio previously mentioned was never really an option.

Dallas Cowboys could receive compensatory third-round pick if George Pickens leaves

Another premium draft pick was dealt away by the Dallas Cowboys on Wednesday. Pittsburgh will receive a third-round pick for wide receiver George Pickens, sending him to Dallas in his final season of a rookie contract. Reports indicate, as of now, Pickens is not going to want to negotiate an extension.

There is a world where Pickens only spends one season with Dallas before leaving in free agency. Pickens would have presumably played well and been out of Jerry Jones’ price range. And the wide receiver signing a big deal elsewhere could actually help the Cowboys recoup the third-round pick.

“The centerpiece of the trade being a third-round pick does relate to that,” SI’s Albert Breer said. “For Dallas, if Pickens plays well, and the Cowboys decide they can’t afford to pay him with CeeDee Lamb already making $34 million per year, then there’s a good chance they’d land a 2027 third-round pick back for their ’26 third-rounder, having gotten the year of service out of Pickens.”