Cowboys Reportedly Never Considered Nick Chubb, Stephon Gilmore Contracts in NFL FA

The Dallas Cowboys made headlines Wednesday when they traded for wide receiver George Pickens, but they reportedly won't add more headline names in Nick Chubb or Stephon Gilmore.

Jane Slater of NFL Network reported the Cowboys told her "they were never in play" when she asked if they were interested in the veteran running back or cornerback after making waves with the wide receiver trade.

Dallas traded a 2026 third-round draft pick and a 2027 fifth-round draft pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers for Pickens and a 2027 sixth-round draft pick.

Unlike that move, it wouldn't have to give up draft capital or players in return for Chubb or Gilmore since they are both free agents. 

On paper, the NFC East team could have been a potential landing spot for Chubb since its running back room is somewhat uncertain with Javonte Williams, Miles Sanders and rookie Jaydon Blue. Blue was a fifth-round draft pick out of Texas and provides depth, but he may not be a surefire starter right away.

Still, there is plenty of risk with Chubb, who will turn 30 years old during the 2025 season and has an extensive injury history.

He was limited to just eight games last season as he recovered from the significant knee injury that ended his 2023 campaign in Week 2. He underwent an initial surgery to repair the medial capsule, meniscus and MCL before requiring another one to repair the ACL.

While his return was a welcome one last season for the Cleveland Browns, he seemed to lack some of his previous explosiveness while posting a career-worst 3.3 yards per carry. He never finished with fewer than 5.0 yards per carry in his previous six seasons.

Whichever team signs him will surely look for the four-time Pro Bowler to return to form a year further removed from the injury, although it won't be the Cowboys.

Gilmore would be a more familiar name for Dallas, as he played for the team during the 2023 campaign. He appeared in all 17 games that season and finished with 68 tackles, 13 passes defended, two interceptions and one forced fumble.

The five-time Pro Bowler was the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year with the New England Patriots but has bounced around the last four seasons while playing for the Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts, Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings.

He would provide veteran leadership to the Dallas secondary, but it doesn't seem like a reunion is on the table.