Last year it didn’t work out well with pass rusher Micah Parsons, who got into a public war of words with Jones over a lucrative extension. That beef was over Jones directly discussing a deal with Parsons instead of his agent, something the owner hasn’t shied away from doing in his past.

The irony is that Pickens is represented by the same agent, David Mulugheta, so more fireworks could be on the way. The team does have the franchise tag at their disposal and will use it, if necessary, but the hope is a deal can be worked out.

Extending Pickens is priority number one for the Cowboys, so it could be a long, drawn out process to get him a new contract.

New deals for Javonte Williams and Brandon Aubrey

Not far behind Pickens, are possible new deals for the Cowboys’ leading rusher and their All-Pro kicker. Finally healthy, Williams had a breakout season in Dallas, and he’ll be just 26 years old heading into the 2026 campaign. That’s still in the prime for a running back and while there’s mutual interest in re-signing Williams, nothing’s a given with the Cowboys.

The same can be said for Aubrey, a restriced free agent, who has been a revelation since becoming the Cowboys’ kicker. A deal for Aubrey is likely to come and should be easy since it’s not a massive deal, but these things don’t always go smoothly with this front office.

DALLAS – Today, Dallas ISD held their 34th annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition. 

Eight fourth and fifth-grade students from Dallas ISD schools competed for the top honor.

FOX 4’s Lori Brown was on the scene and has more below.

Local perspective:

This year’s winner is Blen Teklu, a 4th grader at Dallas ISD’s Preston Hollow Elementary School. 

She wants to be a pediatrician when she grows up, and she says this competition inspired her to carry on Dr. Martin Luther King’s Legacy. 

“He once said only in the darkness can you see the stars. This means in tough times we must look for the good, and even more than that, we must be the good,” Teklu said in her winning speech.

Blen got some words of encouragement from one of the judges, Dalton Sherman. He became a national sensation after his 2008 speech in the event.

Sherman went on to become a national sensation, featured on the Oprah and Ellen DeGeneres shows. Today, Sherman is an executive coordinator at Deloitte, and he also leads a college and career readiness non-profit. 

The event, sponsored by Foley & Lardner LLP, provided laptops for the eight finalists, and cash prizes. Blen received $2,000 dollars.

The finalists were chosen from 90 Dallas ISD students who entered the competition back in the fall.

What they’re saying:

“These inspiring young speakers will deliver original three-to-five-minute speeches addressing the powerful question: “As a student of Dr. King’s life, what message of hope do you think he would have for the world today?”,” a press release from the event reads.