The Dallas Cowboys weren't originally thought to be key players to add a wide receiver this offseason, but they could be now. The more time that passes, the murkier things look on the George Pickens front, so even though he's been franchise tagged, there's still a real shot he plays elsewhere in 2026.
For once, Jerry Jones seems to be ahead of the curve as the Cowboys should already have contingency plans on the brain. The list goes on and on, but the name that's begun to make the most sense is one that fans didn't see coming in Indianapolis Colts' star wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr.
The Colts enter this offseason in a super precarious position. Their biggest question mark is at quarterback, where the question is if the team should sign Daniel Jones to a big contract extension. That's a dilemma the Cowboys remember from when the Giants were tricked into paying him, but they didn't have a midseason Achilles tear to consider, even if the breakout season is familiar.
If Jones cashes in as expected, the situation with his top pass-catchers will get dicey. Emerging wideout Alec Pierce will hit free agency and could land north of $20 million per season on a new deal, which is basically forcing Chris Ballard to choose between extending Pierce or keeping Pittman.
Michael Pittman Jr. is a solid backup plan for the Dallas Cowboys to consider at WR
Pittman has been floated as a potential cap casualty since he'll be a free agent after next season, and the market will see him land an even bigger deal than his last extension. He would be considerably cheaper to extend than Pickens will, and that's always a notable selling point with Jerry Jones as general manager.
The 2020 second-round pick has always been a good-not-great receiver, but has a pair of 1,000-yard seasons under his belt. Pierce led the Colts in receiving this past season, so given how efficient he was as a pure deep threat, Indy would be better suited to let him assume WR1 duties in 2026.
Pierce barely surpassed 1,000 receiving yards on less than 50 catches in 2025, but was primarily a deep threat. In terms of who is the more complete NFL receiver, the 28-year-old has his number every time. And MPJ amassed a career-high seven touchdown receptions with Jones at QB, so he's the better value with Pierce's price tag soaring.
Pittman would be a solid get for Dallas, especially if they extend him, since he would be relatively cheap to trade. It wouldn't take more than a third or fourth-round pick to acquire the USC product, so even though they'd be entering the same situation, this alternative outcome can make sense.
His 6-foot-4, 223-pound frame will make him an elite red zone threat and can help him assume Pickens' role and develop a rapport with Dak Prescott with ease, even if he isn't the top choice.