Look, being a Dallas Cowboys fan in January is basically a full-time job in emotional management. We just watched another season evaporate into a 7-9-1 record. Honestly, it feels like we’ve seen this movie before, but the 2026 version has some weird new plot twists that nobody saw coming.
The building in Frisco is currently a hive of activity. Between the search for a new defensive coordinator and the fallout from the Micah Parsons trade, the latest cowboys news rumors are flying faster than a KaVontae Turpin return. Jerry Jones is talking about "busting the budget" again, but as we know with Jerry, talk is cheap until the checks actually clear.
The Matt Eberflus Fallout and the Search for a New DC
Matt Eberflus is out. It was inevitable. You can't finish 30th in the league in points allowed and expect to keep your keycard to The Star. Brian Schottenheimer survived his first year as head coach, but he’s basically standing on a trapdoor right now.
The search for a defensive savior has been... wide. Like, "interviewing nine different guys in a week" wide. Stephen Jones says they’re making "good progress," which is classic front-office speak for "we haven't picked anyone yet."
Who is actually on the shortlist?
The names are a mix of young guns and familiar faces. Jim Leonhard is the name everyone is circling. He’s currently the pass game coordinator in Denver, and because the Broncos are still alive in the playoffs, Dallas is stuck in a holding pattern. They can't do an in-person interview until Denver is done.
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Meanwhile, internal candidate Aaron Whitecotton is getting a look, alongside big names like former Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon and Ravens DC Zach Orr. The fear? The Green Bay Packers might swoop in and grab Leonhard while Dallas is busy waiting.
The George Pickens Problem
Can we talk about George Pickens for a second? He was the absolute bright spot of the 2025 season. 93 catches. Over 1,400 yards. He and Dak Prescott looked like they had been playing together for a decade.
But here’s the rub: he’s an unrestricted free agent. He’s going to want $30 million a year, and the Cowboys are currently projected to be about $31 million over the cap for 2026. Jerry Jones says he wants to negotiate directly, but Pickens' agent, David Mulugheta, hasn't exactly been on Jerry’s Christmas card list since the Micah Parsons drama.
If they can't keep Pickens, the rumors suggest they might look at Jauan Jennings from the Niners. Jennings is a "dirty work" receiver who would fit Schottenheimer’s scheme, but he’s not the vertical threat Pickens is. It’s a massive gamble.
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Life After Micah Parsons
It still feels weird to say it, but Micah Parsons is a Green Bay Packer. That blockbuster trade at the start of the 2025 season defines this era of Cowboys football. Whether you loved it or hated it, Jerry is doubling down on the draft capital it brought back.
Dallas has two first-round picks this April: No. 12 and No. 20.
Draft Rumors: Who’s the Target?
The latest mock drafts are leaning heavily into the "fix the defense" narrative.
- Sonny Styles (LB, Ohio State): A lot of insiders think he’s the pick at No. 12. He’s got that "Honey Badger" energy and would immediately fill the void left by the Parsons trade.
- Avieon Terrell (CB, Clemson): At No. 20, the Cowboys are looking at the secondary. DaRon Bland just had another foot surgery, and you can never have enough corners in today's NFL.
The Salary Cap Gymnastics
Don't let the "$31 million over" headline scare you too much. The Cowboys have "levers" they can pull. By restructuring Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Tyler Smith, they can technically create up to $100 million in space.
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But that’s just kicking the can down the road. If they restructure Dak again, his cap hit in 2027 or 2028 could balloon to over $80 million. That's "franchise-altering" money.
What This Means for You (The Actionable Part)
If you're trying to keep up with the latest cowboys news rumors, here is what you actually need to watch over the next 14 days:
- The Denver Broncos Scoreboard: If the Broncos lose this weekend, expect a Jim Leonhard announcement within 48 hours. If they win, the Cowboys remain in limbo.
- The Franchise Tag Window: Watch for news around February. If the Cowboys don't reach a deal with George Pickens, they must use the tag to keep him from hitting the open market.
- The Combine Buzz: Keep an eye on Sonny Styles' measurements. If he kills it in Indy, he won't be there at No. 12, and the Cowboys' draft board will get messy.
The 2026 offseason isn't just about filling holes; it's about Jerry Jones trying to prove he didn't mess up the Parsons trade. It's a high-stakes game of poker, and as usual, the house (Jerry) is betting big.