Honestly, being a fan of this team is exhausting. You’ve probably seen the headlines about the 7-9-1 finish, another year without a deep playoff run, and the inevitable "Jerry's going to blow it all up" rumors. But if you actually look at the Dallas Cowboys current roster as of January 2026, the reality is much more complicated than just a win-loss record. We aren’t looking at a total teardown. We're looking at a weird, high-stakes puzzle where some pieces are world-class and others are basically held together by Scotch tape and prayers.
Brian Schottenheimer just finished his first year as head coach. It wasn't the "Super Bowl or bust" debut everyone wanted, but the locker room hasn't revolted. Dak Prescott is still the guy, and love him or hate him, he just put up 4,175 yards and 28 touchdowns. He’s guaranteed we won't be in this "playoff-less" spot this time next year.
But can he actually deliver?
The Dak and George Pickens Connection
Most people are still talking about CeeDee Lamb, and for good reason—he’s CeeDee. But the real story of the 2025 season was the explosion of George Pickens. When the Cowboys brought him in, people questioned the fit. Now? He’s the priority. Pickens hauled in 93 catches for over 1,400 yards, becoming the vertical threat this offense desperately needed.
The problem? He’s an unrestricted free agent right now.
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If the Cowboys don't pay him—and he’s going to want north of $30 million a year—this offense takes a massive step back. CeeDee Lamb is still elite, but he dealt with a nasty concussion late in the year (that "fencing response" on Thursday Night Football was terrifying) and some nagging ankle issues. Having Pickens allowed the offense to stay afloat when Lamb was sidelined.
The Quarterback Room
- Dak Prescott: The undisputed starter. He’s healthy, he’s vocal, and he’s entering Year 10 playing some of his best individual football.
- Joe Milton: The "project" with the cannon arm. He’s sitting there at QB2, mostly a "what if" scenario for now.
- The Depth: With Will Grier recently being deleted from the practice squad, the backup situation is a bit thin heading into the spring.
What Happened to the Defense?
Here is where things get truly weird. If you haven't been paying close attention, you might have missed that Micah Parsons isn't in the building anymore. Yeah, that still stings. After contract talks stalled, the blockbuster trade to the Green Bay Packers happened. It was a "business decision" that allowed the front office to extend guys like DaRon Bland and Tyler Smith, but you can’t tell me this defense is better without #11.
The defensive line is now anchored by Osa Odighizuwa and Kenny Clark. They’ve got some beef up front, but the pass rush is a massive question mark. They’re leaning heavily on guys like Donovan Ezeiruaku and James Houston to fill the void left by Parsons. It’s... risky. To put it mildly.
Linebacker and Secondary Shuffles
DeMarvion Overshown is finally healthy and looked like a beast toward the end of the season. He’s fast, he’s aggressive, and he’s basically the heartbeat of the middle now. Beside him, they’ve got Logan Wilson and Shemar James, though the depth took a hit when Jack Sanborn went to IR with a groin injury.
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In the secondary, Trevon Diggs is gone—cut in late December 2025 in a move that shocked a lot of folks but saved a ton of cap space. DaRon Bland is the undisputed CB1 now, but he finished the year on IR with a foot injury. Caelen Carson and Shavon Revel Jr. are the future here. Revel, especially, has shown flashes of being a lockdown guy if he can stay consistent.
The Running Back Carousel
Remember when the Cowboys didn't have a run game? They tried to fix that last offseason with Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders.
Javonte was actually great—averaging 3.56 yards after contact—but both he and Sanders are hitting free agency. The current "active" roster has Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah as the main healthy bodies. It’s a young group. It’s cheap. But is it enough to win the NFC East? Probably not without a veteran addition or a high draft pick.
The Salary Cap Nightmare
Jerry Jones says the team has "flexibility," but the math is a little scary. They are roughly $31 million over the cap for 2026.
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To keep George Pickens and maybe bring back Javonte Williams, they’re going to have to cut some veterans or restructure Dak yet again. They’ve already moved on from Diggs and Parsons to clear space, so the "easy" cuts are mostly gone.
Key Free Agents to Watch (2026 Offseason)
- George Pickens (WR): The must-sign. Without him, the passing game loses its teeth.
- Javonte Williams (RB): He proved he’s a workhorse; now he wants workhorse money.
- Brandon Aubrey (K): He’s a Restricted Free Agent, so he’s likely staying, which is good because he’s basically the only reason they won half those games.
- Juanyeh Thomas (S): A solid rotational piece that they really should keep for depth.
The Offensive Line Rebuild
The "Great Wall of Dallas" is long gone, but the new version is starting to take shape. Tyler Guyton (LT) and Cooper Beebe (C) are the anchors. Tyler Smith is still a mauler at LG. The concern is the right side. Terence Steele has been up and down, and with Ajani Cornelius on IR with a knee injury, the depth is dangerously thin.
If this team wants Dak to survive 17 games in 2026, they cannot ignore the tackle position in the draft.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Offseason
If you’re tracking this roster, the next few months are going to be wild. Here is what needs to happen:
- Prioritize the "Pickens Tag": If a long-term deal doesn't happen by March, expect the franchise tag. It’ll cost about $29 million, but they can't let him walk.
- Draft an Edge Rusher Early: You can't replace Micah Parsons with one guy, but you can't go into 2026 with a "by committee" approach that doesn't actually produce sacks.
- Sort out the Secondary: With Diggs gone and Bland coming off injury, the Cowboys need a veteran corner. Relying entirely on rookies and second-year players in a Schottenheimer system is asking for trouble.
- Watch the "Futures" Signings: Keep an eye on guys like Israel Abanikanda (RB) and Parris Campbell (WR). These aren't just camp bodies; given the free agency departures, one of these guys will likely be on the 53-man roster in September.
The Dallas Cowboys current roster isn't a disaster, but it is a team in transition. They’ve moved on from the "Stars and Scrubs" era and are trying to build something more sustainable, even if it means saying goodbye to fan favorites. Whether Brian Schottenheimer can turn this mix of high-priced veterans and unproven rookies into a contender is the only question that matters now.