That is Fourth of July Weekend, a fitting time to debate America’s Team. The Cowboys missed the postseason in each of the past two years, but a few their key figures have expressed optimism they are going to return to contention in 2026. Quarterback Dak Prescott said in June that making the playoffs is the “minimum” expectation. Meanwhile, second-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer has his sights set on the Cowboys’ first championship since 1995.
“Super Bowl 61, February 14th, 2027, that’s where we plan on being,” Schottenheimer declared in May.
First things first, clinching a playoff berth would represent a large step forward after back-to-back seven-win campaigns. By now, everybody knows the most important wrongdoer for the Cowboys’ subpar finish in 2025. It was a defense that lost superstar edge rusher Micah Parsons in a late-August trade with the Packers. They allowed 511 points, worst within the NFL and probably the most of their 66-year history as a franchise.
The Cowboys’ abysmal defense undermined a high-octane offense that ranked second in yards and seventh in points. Prescott bounced back from a severe hamstring injury from the prior 12 months to supply outstanding results over a full season. The tremendous receiver tandem of CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens helped his cause, as did 1,200-yard running back Javonte Williams, 82-catch tight end Jake Ferguson and No. 3 wideout Ryan Flournoy.
The Cowboys’ offense faced the potential departures of Pickens and Williams on the outset of the offseason, but owner Jerry Jones retained each players. There was some drama involving Pickens, whom the Cowboys didn’t lock up for the long haul. They as an alternative slapped the previous Steeler with the franchise tag in late February. Although the Cowboys have publicly ruled out an extension by the July 15 deadline, Pickens will report back to training camp and play for $27.3MM. He must have loads of motivation in his second consecutive platform season, while Williams will lead the Cowboys’ backfield again after re-signing on a three-year, $24MM pact.
With Pickens and Williams sticking around, the Cowboys are essentially running it back on offense. The most important query is whether or not Tyler Guyton, Nate Thomas and even left guard Tyler Smith will start at left tackle. Regardless of who wins that job, there may be little doubt Dallas’ offense will put up numbers if its skill players stay healthy.
Naturally, there are more concerns on the defensive side after last 12 months’s horrid performance. As mentioned, no one gave up more points than the Cowboys. Additionally they got here in last in pass defense, thirtieth in total yards and takeaways, twenty sixth in sacks, and twenty third against the run.
The Cowboys prioritized keeping Pickens and Williams, but improving the defense was their most significant offseason task. It began with firing defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus and hiring first-time DC Christian Parker. A Vic Fangio disciple, the 34-year-old Parker is taken into account a rising star on the heels of a two-year run because the Eagles’ defensive pass game coordinator/DBs coach.
Parker must have a greater solid to work with than Eberflus did in 2025, though edge defender Jadeveon Clowney stays unsigned after recording a team-high 8.5 sacks last season. The Cowboys don’t appear more likely to re-sign Clowney. Additionally they lost defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa in a trade with the 49ers. Already featuring two other expensive D-tackles, Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark, the Cowboys shipped out Odighizuwa for the 92nd pick within the draft. They used it on Jaishawn Barham, an off-ball linebacker who showed promise as a pass rusher at Maryland and Michigan.
Barham is a member of a position group that also welcomed Dee Winters in one other trade with the 49ers. Winters and DeMarvion Overshown are set to start out at inside linebacker in Parker’s newly installed 3-4 base. Overshown has flashed when healthy during his three-year profession, but injuries have dogged him. Although he has played just 19 of a possible 51 regular-season games, the Cowboys are counting on Overshown to remain healthy and wear the green dot on his helmet.
Despite last 12 months’s woes, the Cowboys view Williams, Clark, Overshown, edge defender Donovan Ezeiruaku, cornerbacks DaRon Bland and Shavon Revel, and safety Malik Hooker as a part of the answer on defense. All of them are returning to fill vital roles. Nevertheless, together with Barham and Winters, there are several other recent faces on defense.
The Cowboys consider they found a capable alternative for Clowney in Rashan Gary, whom they acquired from the Packers. In free agency, they reeled in safeties Jalen Thompson and PJ Locke, cornerback Cobie Durant and linemen Otito Ogbonnia and Jonathan Bullard. Additionally they spent each of their first-round picks on defenders, eleventh overall selection Caleb Downs and twenty third alternative Malachi Lawrence.
Downs excelled as a security at Ohio State, but he could see more time as a slot corner during his rookie season. If that’s the case, Thompson, Hooker and Locke still give the team credible options at safety. Meanwhile, the athletic Lawrence will join Ezeiruaku, Gary, Shemar James and Sam Williams within the Cowboys’ committee of edge rushers. Acquiring Raiders star Maxx Crosby would have been far splashier than picking up Gary or Lawrence. Dallas did make a big offer for Crosby early within the offseason, but after a failed physical canceled a Las Vegas-Baltimore swap, the Cowboys backed off their pursuit.
The Cowboys haven’t made any blockbuster acquisitions this offseason, but they expect the mix of a potent offense and a greater (now not historically bad) defense to steer them back into contention in 2026. They’ll aim to dethrone the back-to-back NFC East champion Eagles or not less than earn a wild-card spot. Are you purchasing Dallas as a playoff team? Vote in PFR’s latest poll and weigh in together with your thoughts within the comments section.