Dallas Cowboys 2026 Offseason Recap

The 2025 season for the Dallas Cowboys was a disappointment, to say the least. Missing the playoffs for a franchise with high expectations is never acceptable. However, what they’ve done and can still do this offseason should make fans and pundits change their minds for the 2026 season. Hope springs, even after 30 years of missing out on the Super Bowl. Coaching changes, free agency and the draft have reshaped the team, so let’s see what the 2026 Cowboys look like?

Dallas Cowboys 2026 Offseason Recap

Signings and Trades

One of the biggest positives this offseason has been the ability for the Dallas Cowboys to target the defense. Multiple signings and a few small trades have brought in players like Jalen Thompson, Rashan Gary, PJ Locke, Ty Wheat, Dee Winters, Matt Hennessy and Cobie Durant. It’s a solid veteran group, as players like Gary, Thompson, Winters and Durant immediately upgrade the starting spots.  

Admittedly, Dallas faced the reality of having a limited portion of available cap space thereby eliminating splash moves for top-tier players. Finding veterans help at a lower cost was critical. These new additions have to play an important role right away. The player additions so far seem solid, improving the overall depth and starting roster. 

However, the critical flaw of not managing or manipulating the cap by management continues to prevent player additions that could significantly improve the roster. 

Going forward as we approach mini-camps, there are still a couple veteran free agents that can play at a high level that who Dallas should take a look at. Veterans such as Bobby Wagner could come in and be the anchor in the middle of the defense. Joey Bosa would give an experienced presence off the edge. L’Jarius Sneed could slide in as a potential starter in the secondary.

Regardless of the additions, the defense was so bad last year with many holes remaining that need attention and this is where the draft comes in. 

2026 NFL Draft

The Cowboys were in a very interesting spot with two first-round picks at No. 12 and No. 20 overall. Entering the 2026 NFL draft, most scouts indicated there were only a small number of blue-chip defensive players to choose from. Realistically, only one or two had a chance to fall into the Cowboys lap if they stood pat at pick No. 12. Players of interest were Caleb Downs, Rueben Bain Jr., Sonny Styles, Arvell Reese, David Bailey, and Mansoor Delane. 

The wait began, pick by pick, how would this play out. The draft, though, is a funny thing; there are many opinions, various team needs, and of course, bad teams doing questionable things. Luckily for Dallas, all of that occurred and they got their player. A slight trade up to pick No. 11 ensured that Dallas would come away with Downs, a premier safety prospect many had as the overall best player in the entire draft. Dallas found a new leader for the defensive side of the ball. 

Downs was so highly regarded by scouts and coaches he was named mostly likely to be a “hall of fame player”. In fact, Nick Saban labeled Downs as the smartest player he has ever coached.

Downs has all the physical tools, and his career at Alabama and Ohio State has shown him to be a great football player. But what every scout and coach will tell you is it’s not the game play or physical tools that separates Downs from others. Instead, it’s his mind and his cerebral approach to the game. Downs’ ability to organize, diagnose and communicate make him a natural leader and a true expert of defense. High praise for sure, but earned over a stellar college career. 

As the draft continued, a second first round pick at No. 20 overall became very interesting. Instead of making a selection, Dallas traded the pick to their arch rival, the Philadelphia Eagles. From Dallas’s perspective the offer was too good to pass up.

Dropping just three spots to No. 23 overall, Dallas recouped two fourth round picks in the 2026 draft. And at pick 23, the Cowboys selected edge rusher Malachi Lawrence from UCF. This was the presumed pick all along, so adding the extra picks was a bonus. Lawrence has all the skills to be an elite pass rusher, and many scouts praised the pick as being of tremendous value. Lawrence has had a very productive career at the collegiate level and seems like the perfect fit in this new revamped defense. 

At pick No. 92, Dallas went with a player that was a bit of a head scratcher for fans, Michigan linebacker Jaishawn Barham. Not so much for the selection, but who they may have passed on. A highly rated prospect with medical concerns sat there, Jermod McCoy the corner from Tennessee.  Another potential playmaker in the physical corner from Miami, Keonte Scott. All players with recognizable names and potentially tremendous upside. Yet after careful study, you started to see what Dallas was trying to accomplish. They added another physical player with great speed to fill a glaring need. Barsham, according to scouts, is a player that will immediately push to be a starter, being the Zac Braun of the Dallas defense. 

The later round saw value and potential, adding the likes of Drew Shelton- OT, Devon Moore-CB, LT Overton-DT, and Anthony Smith-WR. Of particular interest is Overton from Alabama, projected to fill an immediate need due to the trade of Osa Odighuwza. 

The consensus grade for Dallas’s draft was an A, topping out as one the the NFL’s best this year.   

Coaching Staff 

New Defensive Coordinator

After a dismal season which saw the defense perform poorly, a change was needed. In comes Christian Parker, formerly a top assistant coach on the Eagles defensive staff. It’s a vast difference in approach from Dallas, a refreshing change in the hiring phase. The hiring of Parker as the new defensive coordinator is a move to like.

Parker is an up and coming voice with a lot of respect around league circles for his knowledge and ability to develop players. He’s an outside voice, a young coach with loads of potential; not a veteran coach offering more of the same. Parker’s ability to develop players, especially in the defensive backfield, is good for a team desperately looking for improvement. Just helping this unit alone could change the defense dramatically.

The media cites the connection to Parker being a disciple of  Vic Fangio. Fangio, the current DC of the Eagles, is considered by many as one of the best. That style of defense has had a lot of success in the league for a long period of time. The principles of the new Parker-led defense is its strength at point of attack, discipline, pressure on the QB, limiting of big plays, and forcing offenses to be patient. If Parker can bring that style here and get players to buy in, this defense could look completely different from last year.

Head Coach Schottenheimer

Head coach Brian Schottenheimer will still call offensive plays going into his second year. Having that continuity should help the offense a lot. He now understands the players better, what works, and what doesn’t. That should lead to better play calling and a more consistent offense overall; all while returning from being a top-5 unit last year. Another year with run game coordinator Klayton Holmes, the continued cohesion of the offensive line and the growth of Dak Prescott all point to an explosive offensive group. 

Offseason Drama

The top priority for the Dallas Cowboys this offseason is ending the suspense regarding George Pickens. Dallas and the star wideout will have to come to terms and settle the contract issue to move forward. Pickens earned his money in a stellar season with no drama. His play on the field and impact proved what the pairing of Pickens with Lamb could offer. The duo is arguably the best in the league.

At this time, Pickens has just recently signed his franchise tag, a good sign. Now what happens? Does the team begin talks on a new contract? Does Pickens play or does he ultimately hold out? Questions that need to be answered.

On a brighter note,  they did re-sign Brandon Aubrey to an extension making him the highest paid kicker in the league. Well deserved for an absolute weapon to have in the arsenal.

Schedule

This year’s schedule seems brutal based on the opponents performance last year. Dallas plays three teams from the same division that made the divisional round—San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams, and the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. They also face a pair of playoff teams from the AFC South in the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans.

A trip to Brazil to play Baltimore is no carnival either. This Week 3 matchup combined with the travel element could be a crucial moment. And, it’ll showcase just how prepared this team is for the season.

On top of those matchups, they have potential trap games against the Arizona Cardinals and Tennessee Titans. And, these don’t even include the rivalry games within the conference.

Lets not forget the seemingly annual game versus the old nemesis Green Bay Packers. This year, Dallas will be visiting Lambeau and the Micah Parsons drama could find itself building up to this contest.

Dallas Cowboys: 2026 Prediction

With the big part of free agency and the draft behind us, there’s potential for Dallas to finish 10–7 and barely slide into the playoffs. The big factor for the Cowboys will be how fast the defense comes together.

If the new pieces like Gary, Thompson, Downs, Winters, Lawrence and Barsam play at a high level right away, this team could win more than 10 games. Yet, if there’s chemistry issues or they don’t perform, they could easily finish 8-9 or worse instead.

Another key point in the success for their 2026 season will be consistency. Last year, this team was too up and down. If they can be consistent and beat the teams they’re supposed to, that alone could get them into the playoffs. Coaching decisions will play a huge role in that regard. Late-game situations, play calling, and adjustments have to be better this year. That’s something that hurt them last season.

With that in mind, the best case scenario for Dallas could see them finish at 11-6 on the year and becoming a dangerous team. And, while it’s too early to know for sure, there’s true opportunity for the Cowboys to be successful in 2026.