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Tag: Dallas Cowboys reload 2026

Cowboys Revamp Seek Playoff Run

Written by Associated Press on . Posted in NFL.

By SCHUYLER DIXON AP Pro Football Writer

It has been 13 years since the Cowboys missed the playoffs at least three consecutive seasons and more than 20 years since they had three losing records in a row. The expectation is that Dallas has done enough to end its recent slide by improving one of the NFL’s worst defenses enough to complement Dak Prescott’s potent offense. Brian Schottenheimer enters his second season as coach and offensive play caller with the same tools he had a year ago. Prescott had one of his best seasons with star receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, a productive running back in Javonte Williams and a tight end the Cowboys believe is still waiting on a breakout season in Jake Ferguson. Dallas brought in 34-year-old Christian Parker to replace Matt Eberflus, who lasted just one ugly season as defensive coordinator. The personnel at Parker’s disposal is significantly better, and he doesn’t have to worry about the Cowboys trading one of the league’s best defensive players. They did that a week before the season last year when they shipped disgruntled edge rusher Micah Parsons to Green Bay, essentially setting up the epic failure that the defense became.

New faces

Edge Von Miller, S Caleb Downs, edge Malachi Lawrence, edge Rashan Gary, LB Jaishawn Barham, QB Sam Howell, S P.J. Locke, CB Cobie Durant, S Jalen Thompson, LB Dee Winters.

Key losses

CB Trevon Diggs, DT Osa Odighizuwa, S Donovan Wilson, special teamer C.J. Goodwin, LB Kenneth Murray, edge Jadeveon Clowney, edge Dante Fowler, CB Kaiir Elam.

Strengths

Prescott was a top-five quarterback by just about any measure last season, which helped Pickens have a breakout year coming off a trade triggered by a tumultuous start to his career in Pittsburgh. Pickens and Lamb are among the best duos in the game, which makes life easier for the third, fourth and fifth guys in the room. There could be an undrafted rookie among them in Camden Brown, who had a standout preseason. Williams’ arrival helped the Cowboys go from last in the NFL in rushing TDs in 2024 to the middle of the pack. Williams had 11 touchdowns, matching the total from his first four seasons combined in Denver. The interior of the defensive line, led by Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark, could help Dallas be much better against the run. The Cowboys have struggled to stop the run for years, and they point to that as a reason they haven’t even reached an NFC championship game in 31 years.

Weaknesses

Until it proves otherwise, Dallas’ defense is known for having trouble getting off the field on third down or creating turnovers. The Cowboys were last in the NFL in third-down defense a year ago. Dallas gave up the most points (511) with the fewest interceptions (six) in franchise history. Logic says many of those numbers will improve with two first-round draft picks in Downs and Lawrence and the additions through trades or free agency of safeties Locke and Thompson and edge rushers Gary and Miller, a two-time Super Bowl champ who is joining his hometown team at 37. Durant was the NFL postseason leader with three interceptions last season for the Rams. The offensive line could end up being leaky if right tackle Terence Steele can’t find the form of his first few seasons or left tackle Tyler Guyton doesn’t progress as expected in his third season.

Camp development

Barham, a third-round pick, was among a handful of preseason standouts and could force his way into the lineup as a rookie even after Dallas traded for Winters believing a veteran was the anchor needed for a young group of linebackers. Barham, who went to Michigan, has shown great instincts at a position that has been a weakness for the Cowboys in recent years.

Fantasy player to watch

Pickens is coming off career highs in catches (93), yards (1,429) and touchdowns (nine). At his playmaking best, Pickens is unmatched on the Dallas roster, and now he’s playing for a big second contract. The former Georgia standout decided to accept the $27.3 million franchise tag without making a fuss, and the Cowboys won’t have a choice but to give him a long-term contract if he equals or surpasses his 2025 production.

Dallas Reloads for a Critical 2026 Season

Written by Russell Dowden on . Posted in NFL.

Can the Cowboys Finally Take Control of the NFC East?

Dallas Reloads for a Critical 2026 Season:
For nearly three decades, the Dallas Cowboys have entered every season carrying championship expectations.
The 2026 campaign is no different. After another offseason filled with aggressive moves, roster restructuring, and significant defensive investments, the Cowboys believe they have assembled one of their most complete rosters in years. The question now is whether Dallas can finally turn potential into postseason success and reclaim control of the NFC East.

Jerry Jones Goes All-In

The Cowboys made headlines throughout the offseason by aggressively reshaping the roster.
Dallas doubled down on its pass rush by acquiring veteran edge rusher Rashan Gary, adding another proven playmaker to a defense looking to become one of the NFC’s most disruptive units.

The Cowboys also continued building their defensive front through free agency and trades, signaling a clear commitment to winning with defense.

The organization also invested heavily in rebuilding the secondary, signing veterans such as Cobie Durant and Jalen Thompson to provide leadership and stability in the defensive backfield.

 

A Draft Focused on Defense
The Cowboys entered the 2026 NFL Draft with a mission: get younger and faster on defense.

Dallas selected Ohio State superstar safety Caleb Downs with the 11th overall pick.
Many analysts considered Downs one of the best defensive players in the entire draft and a
potential cornerstone of the defense for years to come.

Later in the first round, Dallas added edge rusher Malachi Lawrence from UCF, giving the Cowboys another explosive pass-rushing weapon to pair with their veteran talent.
The Cowboys continued addressing defensive needs throughout the draft by selecting linebacker Jaishawn Barham, cornerback Devin Moore, and several developmental defensive prospects. The
class has been widely praised as one of Dallas’ strongest defensive drafts in recent memory.

Offensive Weapons Remain in Place
While much of the offseason attention focused on defense, Dallas still boasts one of the NFC’s most dangerous offensive groups.

Dak Prescott remains the leader of the offense, while wide receiver George Pickens enters another season after becoming one of Dallas’ most explosive playmakers. The Cowboys continue to view

Pickens and CeeDee Lamb as one of the league’s most dangerous receiving combinations.
The running game also received a boost with the emergence of Javonte Williams, who has established himself as the team’s lead back after a breakout season.
The NFC East Remains a Battlefield
The road to a division title will not be easy.

The Philadelphia Eagles remain the defending standard-bearer of the division, while Washington has emerged as one of the league’s fastest-rising franchises. New York continues rebuilding but remains dangerous within the division.

For Dallas to win the NFC East, the Cowboys must improve in divisional games and prove they
can consistently defeat elite opponents.

Why 2026 Feels Different

What makes this season intriguing is balance.
For years, Dallas relied heavily on offensive firepower. This roster appears far more complete.

The defense has added veterans and blue-chip draft talent. The offense remains loaded with proven playmakers. The coaching staff believes the team now possesses the depth necessary to survive a long NFL season.

If Caleb Downs develops quickly, Rashan Gary returns to elite form, and the Cowboys stay healthy,
Dallas could field one of the strongest rosters in the conference.

Prediction
The Cowboys have enough talent but can they win the NFC East?
The roster is deeper. The defense is faster. The secondary appears improved. The pass rush has more
firepower than it has had in years. The challenge remains mental as much as physical. Dallas has
repeatedly shown it can win regular-season games. The next step is proving it can finish when the
stakes are highest.

Will the Cowboys finally take the NFC East?

The answer may depend on whether this new defensive core can deliver the consistency and
toughness Dallas has lacked during previous playoff runs.

One thing is certain: The Cowboys have removed most of the excuses.
Now they have to deliver.