Jerry Jones is doing it again. He’s talking about "dramatic things" and "busting the budget." If you’re a fan, you’ve heard this song before, but the cowboys news conference today felt a little different—mostly because the desperation in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife.
The Cowboys just wrapped up a miserable 7-9-1 season. No playoffs. No hope. Just a lot of questions about why a roster with Dak Prescott and George Pickens couldn’t find its way out of a paper bag. Today, Jerry, Stephen Jones, and head coach Brian Schottenheimer sat down to try and explain the plan for 2026. Honestly, it sounds like they’re planning to flip the script entirely.
Firing Matt Eberflus and the Search for a New DC
The big elephant in the room was the defense. It was bad. Historically bad. The Cowboys allowed 511 points this past season, which is a franchise record nobody wanted. Jerry officially confirmed today that moving on from Defensive Coordinator Matt Eberflus was "one of the hardest decisions" he’s had to make.
Why was it hard? Who knows. The guy allowed nearly 30 points a game.
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Anyway, the search is on. Jerry mentioned they are "casting a wide net." Interestingly, they aren't just looking at the usual suspects—the recycled head coaches. They are apparently open to "fresh ideas" and candidates who haven't held the DC title before. Jim Leonhard’s name keeps popping up in the tracker, but nothing is set in stone. Schottenheimer is going to have a massive say in this, though Jerry couldn't help but make a weird joke about Trump and Venezuela when asked who has the final authority. Classic Jerry.
The "Bust the Budget" Mentality
We need to talk about the money. The Cowboys are currently sitting about $34 million over the salary cap. That’s a hole. A big one.
But Jerry doesn't seem to care. He told reporters today that he feels "incentivized" to spend like crazy. He wants to retire with the most Super Bowls of any owner, and he’s realized he isn't getting any younger. To get under the cap and still get better, they’re looking at releasing up to 17 players.
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The core they want to keep is tiny:
- Dak Prescott: He’s still the guy. 4,552 yards and 30 TDs last season proves the arm isn't the problem.
- George Pickens: The breakout star. He caught 93 passes for 1,429 yards. He is priority number one for an extension.
- Javonte Williams: He hit 1,201 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. They need his legs.
- Brandon Aubrey: The kicker who actually showed up, scoring 155 points.
Everyone else? They might want to keep their resumes updated.
The DaRon Bland Injury Concern
One of the more somber moments of the cowboys news conference today involved cornerback DaRon Bland. Jerry looked visibly frustrated when talking about it. Bland just had his second surgery on the same left foot in less than two years.
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"I don't like the sound of that," Jerry said. "You have to watch feet, relative to the future."
It’s a fair point. For a guy whose job is to backpedal and sprint at a moment’s notice, a recurring foot injury is basically a career-threatening issue. The team says he’ll be ready for training camp in July, but the tone in the room suggested they are definitely looking for secondary help in the draft—just in case.
Draft Picks and the 20th Overall Slot
Speaking of the draft, the Cowboys officially know where they’re picking. Thanks to the Packers losing to the Bears, Dallas secured the 20th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. It’s a bit of a "no man's land" spot. You’re not high enough for the generational quarterbacks, but you’re high enough to get a really solid defensive piece.
Given the defensive collapse, it’s almost a guarantee they go that route. There’s a lot of chatter about them needing "dogs" on the line. Kenny Clark recently called out the team for lacking grit, and honestly, the film from the Giants game—where the defense basically gave up on a tackle during a Singletary touchdown—proves him right.
Immediate Next Steps for the Front Office
- Hire a Defensive Coordinator: This needs to happen yesterday. They can't start recruiting free agents or scouting specific draft types without a scheme in place.
- Sort the Cap: They have to find $34 million to even exist in the league next year. Expect some painful cuts and a few restructures for guys like Dak.
- Sign George Pickens: He is the only thing making the offense truly explosive right now. If they let him hit the open market, the fans might actually revolt.
- Monitor the Secondary: With the Bland injury news, the Cowboys have to decide if they trust the current group or if they need to spend a high pick on a corner.
The 2025 season was a disaster. There’s no other way to put it. Jerry Jones knows he’s running out of time to get that seventh ring, and if "busting the budget" is what it takes, he’s clearly ready to set the money on fire. The next few weeks of interviews and cap maneuvers will tell us if this is a real rebuild or just more of the same "all-in" talk that leads nowhere.