The Dallas Cowboys are currently a whirlwind of "what if" and "why now." After a bumpy 7-9-1 season that left fans staring blankly at their TVs, the Star is under a microscope like never before. It's not just about the losses. It's about the seismic shifts in the building.
Jerry Jones hasn't just opened the door for change; he basically took it off the hinges.
The Defensive Coordinator Search: Life After Matt Eberflus
The biggest piece of Cowboys news and rumors right now is the vacancy at defensive coordinator. Jerry Jones moved fast. He fired Matt Eberflus after just one season. Honestly, it was inevitable. When your defense gives up the most points in the NFL and ranks 30th in total yards, you don't get a second chance in Frisco. It was a disaster.
So, who's next?
The rumor mill is spinning names like Zachary Orr and Jonathan Gannon. There’s even talk of interviewing former NFC East rivals. The goal is simple: find someone who can actually complement Dak Prescott’s high-volume offense instead of leaving him in a 20-point hole by halftime. The defense needs a complete rebuild. ESPN is calling it the "top offseason priority," and they aren't wrong.
That Stunning Micah Parsons Trade
We have to talk about the elephant in the room. Micah Parsons is gone.
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It still feels weird to type that. After months of drama and "stalled talks" with Jerry Jones, the Cowboys shipped the three-time All-Pro to the Green Bay Packers. In return, Dallas got two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark.
The move was polarizing. Some fans think Jerry won by getting a haul for a player who was becoming a headache; others think you never, ever trade a generational pass rusher.
The latest update on Micah isn't great for the Packers, though. He tore his ACL in December. He’s already undergone surgery and says he’ll be back by Week 3 or 4 of 2026. Dallas now has to use those picks to find someone who can replicate at least half of his production. Good luck with that.
Dak Prescott and the $100 Million Cap Question
Dak Prescott is staying put. Jerry Jones doubled down on him recently, basically saying Dak is the cornerstone for the next three or four years. But here is the catch: the money is a mess.
- The Cap Hit: Dak’s 2026 cap charge is a monstrous $74 million.
- The Fix: The Cowboys can create over $100 million in space by restructuring deals.
- The Cost: Moving Dak’s money around will add $8 million to his cap hits from 2027 through 2031.
Basically, the Cowboys are kicking the can down the road again. They have to do it if they want to sign anyone this March, because they are currently sitting about $30 million over the projected 2026 cap.
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It’s a high-stakes game of financial Tetris.
Free Agency: Who Stays and Who Goes?
The roster is going to look very different. The Cowboys are likely going to use the franchise tag on George Pickens. He was a revelation in 2025, put up 1,429 yards, and completely overshadowed CeeDee Lamb at times.
Then there’s the running back situation. Javonte Williams had a career year with 1,201 yards, but he finished the season on IR with a shoulder/neck injury. The team also shut down Malik Davis. With both of them hurting, rookie Phil Mafah might be the guy people are talking about by training camp.
Watch out for the "cut candidates" list too. Rumors suggest Logan Wilson, Terence Steele, and even the newly acquired Kenny Clark could be on the chopping block if Dallas needs more room.
The Brian Schottenheimer Era
While Mike McCarthy is out there interviewing for other jobs—or maybe taking a year off—Brian Schottenheimer is the man in the big chair now. It was a controversial hire. He didn't even interview elsewhere before Jerry handed him the keys.
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Schottenheimer has to prove he can do more than just "play it safe."
Fans are skeptical. They've seen this movie before. The "all-in" mantra Jerry used last year turned into a punt, and now the 2026 season feels like a desperate attempt to fix the mistakes of the past two winters.
What You Should Watch For Next
The next few weeks are critical for the front office. If you're following the team, keep an eye on these specific milestones:
- The DC Hire: Expect an announcement before the end of January. If they go with a "safe" veteran hire, the fan base might revolt.
- The Pickens Tag: The deadline is March 3. If no long-term deal is reached, that $29 million tag is a lock.
- Restructure Flurry: Look for news on CeeDee Lamb and Tyler Smith’s contracts. Those moves will signal exactly how aggressive Dallas plans to be in free agency.
The Cowboys aren't just rebuilding a roster; they're trying to rebuild a culture that's felt "off" ever since the Parsons trade. It’s going to be a long, loud offseason in Arlington.