The star on the helmet usually feels like it weighs a thousand pounds. Right now, it probably feels like ten thousand. After a messy 7-9-1 finish to the 2025 season and a second straight year watching the playoffs from the couch, the vibe in Frisco is—honestly—pretty tense. Fans are exhausted. Jerry Jones is defiant. And Dak Prescott? He’s basically standing in the middle of a house that’s half-renovated, waiting to see if the contractors actually show up to finish the job.
If you’re looking for a Dallas Cowboys football update, the biggest headline isn't just a player move. It’s the fact that Jerry Jones is publicly swearing he’s going to "bust the budget" to fix this. We’ve heard the "all-in" talk before, sure. It usually leads to signing a backup linebacker and calling it a day. But with two first-round picks in his pocket for 2026 and a defense that just finished 30th in the league, the math is forcing his hand.
The Coaching Carousel and the Search for a Identity
The first domino has already tipped over. Matt Eberflus is out as defensive coordinator. It’s hard to argue with the decision when your unit is giving up nearly 30 points a game and can't stop a light breeze, let alone a divisional rival. This marks the fourth defensive coordinator in four years. That is a staggering amount of turnover for a team that claims to value "culture."
Right now, the tracker is buzzing. Zach Orr from Baltimore has already interviewed. He’s young, he’s a North Texas guy, and he’s coming from a Ravens system that actually knows how to hit people. Then you’ve got Jonathan Gannon, the former Cardinals head coach. He knows the NFC East inside and out from his Philly days. There’s also internal talk about Aaron Whitecotton, the D-line coach who somehow managed to get 8.5 sacks out of Jadeveon Clowney in 2025 while the rest of the defense was struggling.
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What about Mike McCarthy?
It’s complicated. Mike McCarthy is still here, but his grip on the steering wheel feels a little loose. Brian Schottenheimer has been a big part of the end-of-season pressers, and Dak has been vocal about supporting McCarthy, but the results just haven't been there. Dak told reporters he was "bummed" about the lack of stability, but he also knows it's a business. In the NFL, "bummed" doesn't win Super Bowls.
The Roster Gut-Check: Who Stays and Who Goes?
The Cowboys have 22 pending free agents. That is a massive number. 16 of them are unrestricted, meaning they can walk away for nothing. If you think the roster looks thin now, wait until March 11th if the front office doesn't get to work.
There are two guys Jerry basically cannot let leave.
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- George Pickens: The dude had a career year. 93 catches, over 1,400 yards, and 9 touchdowns. He’s the undisputed WR1.
- Javonte Williams: He was the engine of the offense. 1,201 rushing yards and 11 scores. Without him, the run game is a vacuum.
Then you have the wildcards. Brandon Aubrey is technically a restricted free agent. He had a weird rough patch late in the season, but he’s still a weapon. Jerry probably loves those missed kicks because it might save him a few million on the extension. It's classic Jerry.
The Salary Cap Elephant in the Room
Dallas is roughly $34 million over the cap. You can't just "bust the budget" when you're already in the red. This means we are going to see some painful cuts. There’s already talk that nearly 17 players could be released or let go to reset the books. Trevon Diggs was waived recently, which sent shockwaves through the fan base. It shows that nobody—aside from maybe Dak and CeeDee—is truly safe right now.
Why the 2026 Draft is the Real Turning Point
This Dallas Cowboys football update gets interesting when you look at the draft capital. Thanks to the Packers loss and some savvy trading involving the Micah Parsons deal legacy, Dallas has two first-round picks this year. They’re sitting at No. 12 and No. 20 (the pick they got from Green Bay).
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Early mock drafts are already pairing them with defensive monsters. We’re talking about guys like Keldric Faulk, a massive EDGE from Auburn, or C.J. Allen, a linebacker from Georgia. The goal is simple: stop the run. Last year, teams ran through the Cowboys like they were a revolving door. If they don't use at least one of those top picks on a heavy-hitter in the middle of that defense, 2026 will look exactly like 2025.
Dak’s Window is Closing
Dak Prescott is still productive. 4,552 yards and 30 touchdowns in 2025 is elite-level production. But he’s entering his 10th season. The "he's still young" excuse has officially expired. Jerry Jones said it best: "I want to retire with the most Super Bowls." He currently has three. He needs three more to tie the record. At 83 years old, he doesn't have time for a five-year rebuild.
Actionable Steps for the Offseason
The next few months will define the next decade of Cowboys football. If you're a fan or an analyst watching this play out, here is what needs to happen to move the needle:
- Sign George Pickens before March 9: Once the legal tampering period starts, his price tag will skyrocket. Lock him down now.
- Prioritize the DC hire over everything: The scheme was the problem as much as the players. They need a system that doesn't leave cornerbacks on an island for 4 seconds.
- Restructure Dak’s deal (again): It’s the only way to clear the $34 million hurdle and actually sign any impact free agents.
- Focus on the Trenches: Use the No. 12 pick on a defensive lineman or a linebacker. No more "cute" picks. They need size.
The Cowboys are at a crossroads. Jerry says he's going to spend. The fans are waiting for proof. Honestly, we've seen this movie before, but with two first-round picks and a massive defensive vacancy, the script might actually be different this time. Keep an eye on the Senior Bowl in late January; that's where the real 2026 roster starts to take shape.