If you’ve followed the Dallas Cowboys for more than five minutes, you know the drill. Every January, Jerry Jones stands in front of a microphone, looks into the cameras with that familiar mix of defiance and hope, and promises that things will be different. But this time? Honestly, it feels a little more desperate. After a 7-9-1 season that saw the defense turn into a sieve, the NFL news rumors Dallas Cowboys mill is spinning faster than a Dak Prescott spiral.
Jerry isn't just talking about "going all-in" as a marketing slogan anymore. He’s actually using phrases like "bust the budget."
For a team that’s currently sitting about $30 million over the 2026 salary cap, that sounds like a delusion. Or a very expensive gamble. The reality is that the Cowboys are at a crossroads that could define the next decade of the franchise. They have two first-round picks (numbers 12 and 20), a massive hole at defensive coordinator, and a locker room that might be about to lose 17 veterans in a total roster reset.
The Search for a Defensive Savior
Matt Eberflus is out. It was inevitable. You can't finish 32nd in the league in EPA per play and expect to keep your parking spot at The Star. Now, Stephen Jones is talking about "casting a wide net," but the names leaking out suggest they want someone who can simplify a scheme that left players looking lost last season.
Jim Leonhard, currently the Broncos' pass game coordinator, seems to be the name at the top of the list. He’s a Rex Ryan mentee who knows how to manufacture pressure without needing five All-Pros on the line. But don't sleep on Christian Parker from the Eagles. Plucking a coach from a division rival is a classic Jerry move—it helps you while hurting them.
The defense was basically a disaster in 2025. They allowed nearly 30 points per game. That’s not just "bad," it's "highest-draft-pick-in-years" bad. If the Cowboys don't find a coordinator who can fix the communication issues in the secondary, it won't matter how many touchdowns Dak throws to CeeDee Lamb.
The T.J. Watt Trade Rumors are Heating Up
This is the big one. This is what people are whispering about in Frisco. After the Pittsburgh Steelers got bounced from the playoffs (again), T.J. Watt didn't exactly sound like a man who wanted to stay for a rebuild. He’s 31. He wants a ring.
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The Cowboys have the ammo. Remember the Micah Parsons trade? That’s why they have those two first-round picks.
"I haven't had the answer for a long time," Watt said after the Steelers' loss. That’s the sound of a superstar who is done waiting. If Pittsburgh decides to tear it all down, the Cowboys could package one of those first-rounders and a future asset to bring a future Hall of Famer to Dallas. It would be the most "Jerry Jones" move in history. Imagine a pass rush featuring a rejuvenated T.J. Watt and a developing Sam Williams. It would instantly fix the 35-sack total from last year—the team's lowest since 2020.
Dealing with the Salary Cap Nightmare
Let’s talk money, because it’s messy. Spotrac has the Cowboys at roughly $31 million over the cap for 2026. If you listen to some national media outlets, you’d think the team is headed for bankruptcy.
It’s not that simple.
The Cowboys can actually create upwards of $100 million in space by tomorrow if they really wanted to. It just involves the "R" word: Restructures.
- Dak Prescott: A restructure could shave $31 million off his $74 million cap hit.
- CeeDee Lamb: Another $19 million in potential savings.
- Tyler Smith: About $17 million.
The problem? Doing this kicks the can down the road. It adds money to 2027, 2028, and beyond. But Jerry Jones is 83 years old. He isn't worried about the 2029 salary cap. He wants to retire with the most Super Bowls, and right now, he's lagging behind.
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The Casualty List
To "bust the budget" for new stars, some old ones have to go.
- Terence Steele: Releasing him as a post-June 1 cut saves $14 million. His play has been, well, let's call it "lackluster" lately.
- Malik Hooker: Moving on frees up another $6.8 million.
- Trevon Diggs: This one hurts, but his release prior to Week 18 showed the team is ready to move in a different direction.
Draft Strategy: Defense, Defense, and More Defense
The Cowboys have the 12th and 20th picks. In the past, they’ve been obsessed with building the Great Wall of Dallas 2.0. But the NFL news rumors Dallas Cowboys fans are hearing now point toward a total defensive overhaul.
At pick 12, they might look at someone like Mansoor Delane, the feisty cornerback from LSU. Jerry loves big, long corners, but Delane is a "sticky" defender who plays bigger than his 5'11" frame. With DaRon Bland heading for yet another foot surgery—Jerry himself admitted he "doesn't like the sign of that"—the cornerback room is basically empty.
Then there's pick 20. Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman is a name gaining massive steam. He’s the kind of high-IQ "eraser" the Cowboys haven't had in the back end for years. He doesn't gamble; he just tackles and stays in position. After watching the secondary get torched for 253 pass yards per game last year, a "boring" but reliable safety sounds like heaven to Cowboys fans.
Retaining the Core: Pickens and Williams
While the defense needs a transplant, the offense just needs a tune-up. George Pickens was a revelation after the trade with Pittsburgh. 93 catches. 1,429 yards. He and Dak have a chemistry that usually takes years to build.
The front office has to decide whether to give Pickens a massive extension (likely north of $30 million a year) or use the franchise tag (roughly $29 million). Then there’s Javonte Williams. He ran for 1,200 yards and 11 scores. In an era where RBs are treated as disposable, Williams proved he’s the engine of that ground game. Stephen Jones has already signaled that a multi-year deal is the priority there.
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Why 2026 is Different
Usually, the Cowboys are conservative. They like their "compensatory pick" game. They like building through the draft. But the 30-year Super Bowl drought is a weight that is starting to crush the building.
The fans are frustrated. The owner is impatient. The quarterback is in his prime but isn't getting any younger.
We are likely looking at a "burn the boats" offseason. If the rumors of a T.J. Watt trade or a Jim Leonhard hiring come true, it signals a shift from "we like our guys" to "we need better guys."
Actionable Next Steps for the Offseason
To actually turn the corner in 2026, the Cowboys front office has to execute a very specific sequence of moves:
- Finalize the DC Hire by February: They cannot afford to wait. The new coordinator needs time to evaluate the 22 pending free agents and decide who fits the new scheme.
- Trigger the Restructures Early: Don't wait until the start of free agency to fix the cap. Restructure Dak and CeeDee now to show potential free agents that Dallas has the "dry powder" to sign big names.
- Prioritize the "Middle of the Field": Whether it's through the draft (Thieneman) or free agency, the Cowboys must stop the leak at linebacker and safety. They were 20th against the run last year, and it killed them in December.
- Secure Brandon Aubrey: Kicker might not be sexy, but Aubrey is a weapon. In a league of parity, a guy who makes 85% of his kicks is the difference between 7-9 and 10-7.
The "Star" usually shines brightest when the lights are on, but lately, it's been flickering. The 2026 offseason is the last chance for this specific core to prove they can do more than just sell jerseys and headline talk shows. It’s time to actually win.