Jerry Jones Anticipates Direct Negotiations With Cowboys WR George Pickens
The Micah Parsons saga dominated headlines throughout the 2025 offseason. The starting point to the tension between team and player in that case was in-person talks between Parsons and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. 
Jones’ relationship with agent David Mulugheta – or lack thereof when it came to negotiating a Parsons extension – became a major talking point through to the trade sending Parsons to Green Bay. Once that blockbuster deal had been worked out, attention quickly turned to the fact Mulugheta also represents wideout George Pickens. The former Steeler has enjoyed a stellar debut season in Dallas, setting him up for a notable payday.
Pickens looms as a strong candidate to receive the franchise tag. Applying the tag would ensure he cannot reach the open market but it would also no doubt pave the way for negotiations on a long-term pact. Mulugheta figures to play a role on that front, but the possibility exists for another round of direct owner-player talks as well. Jones confirmed as much during his latest appearance on 105.3 The Fan.
“I don’t know,” Jones said (via Tommy Yarish of the team’s website) when asked about negotiating with Pickens in person. “We’ll see how it goes. Probably both, but I certainly expect to be speaking with George.”
Of course, it is not unheard of in the NFL for players to discuss extensions directly with a team’s general manager. Jones holds that title as well, and he has a long track record of working out contracts with little or no involvement from a player’s agent in certain instances. The Pickens case will be one to watch closely given not only his earning potential but also the tension which arose during the Parsons negotiations stemming from Jones’ insistence on keeping Mulugheta on the sidelines.
Pickens enters Week 18 ranked third in the NFL with 1,420 receiving yards and tied for fourth with nine touchdowns. A year spent on the tag would see him earn roughly $28MM, and a lengthy pact would likely carry a larger price tag. The nature of negotiations will thus be something to watch, especially if it includes a significant role for Pickens himself.
Raiders’ Maxx Crosby Addresses IR Move
In advance of their Week 17 game, the Raiders and Giants both shut down a number of players by moving them to injured reserve. The lengths Vegas went to drew criticism from some, but by losing to New York the team is now on track to select first overall in April’s draft. 
Maxx Crosby has dealt with a knee injury since October, and he intended to remain on the field through the final two weeks of the season. The Raiders moved him to injured reserve, however, removing the chance of the ailment being worsened down the stretch. Attention will now turn to meniscus surgery but also the question of Crosby’s outlook with the franchise.
In the aftermath of Vegas’ decision to shut him down, it was reported the five-time Pro Bowler would contemplate his future with the team. Crosby has spent his entire seven-year career with the Raiders, and he signed an extension in March. The 28-year-old made his first public comments on the situation during an appearance on SiriusXM’s Let’s Go! podcast.
“[W]hen it comes to football, there’s certain things that I truly believe in, and I feel like there’s core principles that you gotta live by, and there’s a certain way the game needs to be played,” Crosby said. “And there’s a certain approach that you have when you go onto the field. And the way you look at it, from my perspective, is you play to win. You play for your teammates, you put everything you have into the game, no matter what it is. There’s gonna be bumps and bruises. You’re gonna be banged up. That is a part of the game and the nature of the beast.”
While those remarks represent a less-than-flattering perspective on the Raiders and how they approached the end of the season, Crosby did not offer any comments regarding his future. The former fourth-rounder has remained one of the league’s most productive edge rushers over the course of his career with 69.5 sacks in 110 games. That kind of output will be expected moving forward, presuming of course Crosby remains in place.
The Raiders will close out their season against the Chiefs on Sunday. A loss will guarantee the No. 1 pick and set up what could be a reset at the quarterback position for the franchise. Regardless, Crosby’s status – and a definitive stance on his intentions – will remain something to monitor moving forward.
Cowboys To Waive CB Trevon Diggs
Viewed as a clear release candidate in 2026, Trevon Diggs will instead become available earlier. The Cowboys are waiving him ahead of Week 18, ESPN’s Todd Archer reports.
This exit comes barely two years after Diggs signed a five-year, $97MM extension. Knee injuries have significantly limited the former All-Pro on this deal. Diggs has played in just eight games this season, bouncing in and out of Dallas’ lineup. That said, he played 100% of the team’s defensive snaps during a Week 17 win over Washington.
[RELATED: Latest On Dispute Between Diggs, Cowboys]
A team claiming Diggs would be responsible for his final 2025 game check, which NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero notes is worth $473K. No guaranteed money is on the contract following the 2025 season, though the pact runs through 2028. This figure would make a claim worth considering, particularly for contenders who have seen injuries affect their cornerback situations.
If Diggs goes unclaimed by 3pm CT Wednesday, he heads to free agency for the first time. The Cowboys will be tagged with $5.88MM in 2026 dead money due to this cut, per Spotrac. A post-June 1 designation would have only saved the Cowboys $4.25MM in 2026, NFL.com’s Jane Slater notes.
A specific incident is not believed to have prompted the Cowboys to move on early, per Pelissero, who notes a “culmination of factors” led the team to jettison the sixth-year corner now. This relationship has steadily deteriorated. The Cowboys were all but certain to release Diggs following Super Bowl LX, when cap-casualty transactions begin, but they will subtract from an injury-battered CB corps early. Considering the team is without DaRon Bland for the season and saw rookie Shavon Revel suffer a concussion against the Commanders, this is an interesting move. Though, the Cowboys have been eliminated from the playoff race for a bit now.
The Cowboys activated Diggs from IR before their Week 16 game. He had landed on the injured list due to the lingering knee injury along with a concussion. Diggs, 27, had said he was healthy enough to play before the activation. Playing 84% of the Cowboys’ defensive snaps against the Chargers ahead of his full-time role on Christmas, Diggs told Slater he is healthy enough to play and wants to join a playoff team soon.
Diggs had said he was upset after showing what he felt was sufficient form in practice only to be kept in the IR-return window for Week 15. This comment came after a meeting with Brian Schottenheimer. The Cowboys placed Diggs on IR in late October; the concussion he sustained occurred at his home, offering another complication for a player who was once the centerpiece of Dallas’ CB plan.
Although Diggs was ready to go by Week 1 after limited summer participation following knee surgery, he struggled this season and had proven to be a poor fit in Matt Eberflus‘ zone-based defense. But Diggs will not have a chance to redeem himself with the Cowboys, who are expected to fire their first-year DC after the season.
Pro Football Focus ranked the 6-foot-2 defender 80th among qualified corners, but Pro-Football-Reference’s coverage metrics viewed even that as an oversell of the former second-round pick’s performance. As the closest defender in coverage, Diggs has been charged with allowing a 77.3% completion rate and a near-perfect passer rating (157.2) in his eight-game season. While these numbers came on just 22 targets, Diggs did not live up to the extension he signed before the 2023 season.
The Cowboys rewarded Diggs ahead of his contract year, agreeing to the five-year extension during the same summer stretch in which they paid right tackle Terence Steele. Dallas famously delayed paying both Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb that summer, leading to windfalls for both players ahead of 2024 contract years. The Prescott and Lamb deals drew criticism regarding delays the Cowboys have become famous for, with the Micah Parsons saga following a similar timeline before the blockbuster trade. While Dallas and Diggs agreed on a long-term extension the organization typically prefers on second contracts, the corner ran into injury trouble almost immediately.
Diggs suffered an ACL tear in a September 2023 practice, finishing that season with just two games played. He has been unable to reestablish his pre-injury form, missing six games last season and eight contests in 2025. Diggs suffered a calf tear in 2024 as well, later being shut down due to another knee surgery. The Cowboys decided to extend Bland this summer, doing so after drafting Revel in Round 3. Those developments pointed to a Diggs exit.
Any team to claim Diggs would have him signed for three more seasons following this campaign, but seeing as he has not come close to living up to the contract, a contender could also submit a claim and then release the corner after the season.
Diggs, however, has shown top form in the past. While developing a reputation for being a gambler in coverage, the Alabama alum intercepted 11 passes in 2021 to lock down first-team All-Pro honors. Diggs’ 11 picks were the most anyone had snared in a season since Everson Walls‘ Cowboys rookie year (1981). Diggs (20 career INTs) also made the Pro Bowl in 2022, cinching up an extension candidacy.
It will be interesting to see if Diggs is claimed or lands anywhere before season’s end. Otherwise, he would have some time to prepare for free agency in 2026. The Cowboys will need to make another cornerback investment before their offseason program, among other moves to upgrade a struggling defense, as the Kaiir Elam trade also did not do much to help their situation this season. After seeing the Cowboys decline his fifth-year option, Elam is due for 2026 free agency.
Patriots WR Stefon Diggs Facing Strangulation, Assault Charges
Patriots receiver Stefon Diggs is facing a charge of felony strangulation or suffocation as well as a charge of misdemeanor assault and battery, according to records from Dedham District Court (Mass.) released on Tuesday.
As detailed by Matt Schooley of CBS News Boston, the charges stem from an alleged incident which took place on December 2. Diggs has denied the allegations. The 32-year-old wide receiver’s arraignment is set to take place January 23, though Schooley notes a judge agreed to consider delaying the it until March.
“The New England Patriots are aware of the accusations that have been made regarding Stefon Diggs,” a team statement reads. “Stefon has informed the organization that he categorically denies the allegations. We support Stefon. We will continue to gather information and will cooperate fully with the appropriate authorities and the NFL as necessary. Out of respect for all parties involved, and given that this is an ongoing legal matter, we will have no further comment at this time.”
Diggs has made a financial offer to resolve the dispute with the alleged victim, according to Schooley. Diggs’ attorney argued for the police report to be impounded in order to have the details remain sealed. As it stands, details are sparse at this time. Since the charges stem from an unknown incident, it is difficult to project a potential stay on the rarely used commissioner’s exempt list. That would sideline Diggs while the case is being adjudicated.
Diggs is in his first year with the Patriots, having signed a three-year, $63.5MM deal that came with $16.6MM guaranteed at signing. While only $1.7MM of Diggs’ 2026 compensation came guaranteed at signing, an additional $6MM becomes guaranteed in March, according to Spotrac. Any suspension under the NFL’s personal conduct policy would stand to void future guarantees on this contract.
Previously tied to the Vikings, Bills and Texans, Diggs has never been suspended during his career. An odd headline did surface during Diggs’ first New England offseason, however. A video showed him flashing an “unidentified pink substance” while partying on a boat with a number of women. No NFL discipline came his way in connection with the video. Diggs welcomed a child with rapper Cardi B in November.
Playing a key role in Drake Maye‘s second-year surge, Diggs has recovered from the ACL tear he sustained midway through his lone Houston season. He leads the Patriots with 82 receptions for 970 yards, adding four touchdowns. The four-time Pro Bowler is close to surpassing 1,000 receiving yards for the seventh time in his career.
Sam Robinson contributed to this post.
Free Agent Stock Watch: Wan’Dale Robinson
The Giants have spent much of the 2025 season without Malik Nabers. That has dealt a blow to the team’s offense but it has also helped allow for fellow receiver Wan’Dale Robinson to enjoy a career year. 
Robinson received a whopping 140 targets in 2024, a season in which he was used heavily as a slot receiver. The former second-rounder only averaged 7.5 yards per catch as a result, but he has handled a more varied workload this season. Seeing more time on the perimeter, Robinson has remained a focal point on offense in 2025 but he has seen a notable uptick in efficiency along the way.
Thanks to a strong performance on Sunday, Robinson has surpassed the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his career. The Kentucky product’s target total is identical to his 2024 figure and the same is essentially true of his 92 catches, but his yards per reception mark has increased to 11.0, comfortably a new personal best. As a pending free agent, the timing of this step up in production could lead to a lucrative payday.
When speaking to Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post, one NFL scout pegged Robinson’s market at $15MM-$16MM per season. A team executive agreed with that assessment, pointing to Christian Kirk‘s contract as the ceiling in this case. In 2022, eyebrows were raised when Kirk signed a four-year, $72MM pact during his first trip to free agency. Surges in the salary cap and the receiver market since then have changed the financial landscape at the position, though.
Robinson’s case is somewhat unique based on his size (5-8, 185 pounds). As Dunleavy notes, there are 27 receivers currently attached to an AAV of $16MM or more. That group only includes three under six feet in height, though (Kirk along with the Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle). That factor could limit Robinson’s market to an extent, although a considerable raise can nevertheless be expected on his second NFL contract.
Robinson is set to turn 25 next week, so his next pact will cover the prime of his career. Whether it will come from the Giants or an outside suitor will be interesting to see. New York already has Darius Slayton on the books through 2027, and his pact includes considerable guarantees for next year. A monster Nabers extension can be signed as early as the 2026 offseason and it will of course need to be budgeted for. New York is currently projected to have roughly $17.5MM in cap space this spring, although that figure will change once cost-cutting season begins.
The group of pending free agent receivers is headlined by George Pickens, who looms as a Cowboys franchise tag candidate. Alec Pierce (Colts), Romeo Doubs (Packers), Rashid Shaheed (Seahawks) and Jalen Nailor (Vikings) are also in line to receive their second contract in the near future. Older wideouts could parlay their longer track record of production into a notable deal as well, but Robinson’s consistency over the past two years and his expanded role in 2025 should make him one of the top options at the position.
Last month, Robinson stated his desire to remain with the Giants. If that feeling is mutual and a deal is worked out, he will be in line to operate as a key figure in New York’s young offensive core for years to come. Otherwise, his market will be one worth monitoring closely.
Steelers ‘Optimistic’ T.J. Watt Will Play In Week 18
The Steelers have gone three games in a row without star pass rusher T.J. Watt. With the AFC North title at stake in Week 18, Watt may return to face the Ravens on Sunday.
Head coach Mike Tomlin said he’s “optimistic about“ Watt’s “potential inclusion” in this week’s do-or-die showdown between division rivals (via Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports). Watt’s most recent appearance came in a 27-22 win over the Ravens in Week 14. He underwent surgery on a partially collapsed lung a few days later.
Watt suffered his injury during a dry needling session – a common treatment – at the team facility. The NFLPA quickly made contact with Watt afterward, though it’s unknown if he’ll take action against the Steelers’ medical staff.
The Steelers have been Watt’s only NFL team since he entered the league as the 30th pick in the 2017 draft. Pittsburgh signed Watt to a record-setting extension worth $123MM over three years last summer. The club awarded the former Defensive Player of the Year an eye-popping $108MM in fully guaranteed money.
Despite sitting out three games, Watt has earned his eighth straight Pro Bowl nod this season. The 31-year-old has racked up 53 tackles, 43 pressures, 18 QB hits, seven sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception in 2025. With a playoff berth on the line, Watt rejoining fellow edge rushers Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig against Baltimore would be ideal for Pittsburgh. That’s especially the case if the Ravens have two-time MVP-winning quarterback Lamar Jackson, whose status is uncertain as a result of a back injury.
Backup Tyler Huntley filled in for Jackson in a 41-24 win over the Packers in Week 17. Running back Derrick Henry‘s 216-yard, four-touchdown masterclass was the driving force in keeping the Ravens’ season alive in Lambeau Field on Saturday. The Watt-less Steelers could have clinched the division and eliminated the Ravens with a win on Sunday, but they fell 13-6 to the last-place Browns. An offense missing its two best wide receivers – the suspended D.K. Metcalf and the injured Calvin Austin – couldn’t get anything going in Cleveland.
There’s a chance Austin will come back from a hamstring injury in the regular-season finale, but Metcalf and injured tight end Darnell Washington won’t be available. With a shorthanded offense, the Steelers may need a stifling defensive performance to knock out the Ravens and earn their first AFC North crown since 2020. If that’s the case, Watt’s return would boost their chances.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/30/25
Today’s minor moves:
Green Bay Packers
- Placed on IR: CB Kamal Hadden, DL Jordon Riley (story)
- Signed from practice squad: CB Shemar Bartholomew, CB Jaylin Simpson
- Waived: DL Quinton Bohanna
With Kamal Hadden landing on IR and Nate Hobbs exiting Saturday’s loss, the Packers have brought in some extra depth at cornerback, signing both Shemar Bartholomew and Jaylin Simpson to the active roster. Bartholomew is the only addition with NFL experience, as the former UDFA got into five games with the Panthers in 2024.
Despite DL Jordon Riley landing on IR, the Packers also cut Quinton Bohanna today. The defensive tackle was claimed off waivers from the Seahawks earlier this month. He made his lone appearance for the organization this past weekend. The move will leave Karl Brooks and Warren Brinson as the team’s lone options at DT for the moment.
Cardinals Place CB Kei’Trel Clark On IR
Kei’Trel Clark‘s season is ending a bit early. The Cardinals announced today that they’ve placed the cornerback on injured reserve.
Clark popped up on the injury report last week with a back injury that ultimately forced him to miss Sunday’s loss to the Bengals. Now, that injury will also keep him off the field for the season finale, with Clark now representing the 23rd Cardinals player on injured reserve.
A 2023 sixth-round pick, Clark got an extended look as a rookie, collecting 43 tackles while starting half of his 14 appearances. He got into 15 games as a sophomore but played the majority of his snaps on special teams, and he was trending towards a similar role in 2025. However, injuries to the Cardinals secondary forced the third-year player back into a defensive role, with Clark finishing the season with 201 defensive snaps played.
The Cardinals cornerbacks room has been snake bitten in 2025, with all of Garrett Williams, Sean Murphy-Bunting, and Starling Thomas currently residing on IR or NFI. The team has also had to deal with absences from Will Johnson and Denzel Burke. The organization will likely have to dig deep into the depth chart for Week 18, with the likes of Darren Hall and Jaden Davis in line for more defensive reps.
To fill the open roster spot, the Cardinals announced that they’ve signed tight end Rivaldo Fairweather off the Cowboys practice squad. The Auburn product has spent the majority of his rookie season in Dallas.
Cardinals HC Jonathan Gannon Expects To Keep Job
While Jonathan Gannon‘s Cardinals appeared to take a step forward in 2024, the organization took a major step back in 2025. Naturally, the head coach has found himself on the hot seat. While Gannon won’t have much say in the matter, he’s confident he’ll be back in Arizona in 2026.
While speaking with reporters yesterday, the coach answered “yeah” when asked if he’ll be around for the organization’s postseason press conference. While Gannon said he didn’t want to “get into all that” when asked pointedly about his job security, he did admit that he feels “good” about keeping his job. The third-year coach also acknowledged that he’s had productive conversations with owner Michael Bidwill.
“I kind of do the same process as I’ve done the last two years: I try to take detailed notes, try to have a pulse of what’s going on, but you can’t let that … I do have to think about the future a little bit, obviously the seat that I’m in, but my focus is really on L.A. and that there’ll be a time to look at all of that and have those conversations and make changes,” Gannon said (via ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss). “No one’s happy. I’m not happy. Players aren’t happy. Through adversity, you’ve got to change. So, I got to change, and we got to change some things, but we’ll get to that.”
Gannon parlayed his success as Eagles defensive coordinator into the Cardinals head coaching job ahead of the 2023 campaign (although he had to overcome claims of tampering during the hiring process). The Cardinals struggled during the coach’s first season at the helm, finishing with a 4-13 record. However, the team slightly rebounded in 2024, finishing with an 8-9 record, and there was hope the franchise could build off that momentum in 2025.
Instead, the organization is on track to have their worst showing in more than five decades. Kyler Murray appears to be on his way out, leaving the team without an answer at a key position. Gannon’s leadership has also been questioned, especially following a midseason incident with Emari Demercado when the coach appeared to hit the RB in the stomach following a costly fumble. The Cardinals fined Gannon $100K for that incident.
Other than Steve Wilks‘ one-year stint as head coach, the Bidwill family has recently given their head coaches relatively long leashes, with each of Kliff Kingsbury, Bruce Arians, and Ken Whisenhunt all sticking around for at least four seasons. Despite Gannon’s confidence, it remains to be seen if the current head coach will be afforded the same amount of patience.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/30/25
Today’s practice squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Released: TE Messiah Swinson
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: WR Mecole Hardman
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: TE Ross Dwelley
Denver Broncos
- Signed: OL Calvin Throckmorton
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: RB Damien Martinez
Houston Texans
- Signed: DE Solomon Byrd
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: S Wyett Ekeler
- Released: OL Zachary Thomas
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: LB Kam Arnold, DT Marcus Harris
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: S Brandon Hill
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: DT Simeon Barrow Jr.
New England Patriots
- Signed: TE Marshall Lang
- Released: RB Jashaun Corbin
New York Giants
- Signed: CB Myles Purchase
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: LS Charley Hughlett
- Released: DE Titus Leo
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: RB Josh Williams
- Released: RB Michael Wiley