Jerry Jones is talking about "busting the budget" again. If you’re a Dallas fan, you’ve heard this song before. It’s the one where the owner promises a massive spending spree, everyone gets excited, and then the team signs a backup linebacker and calls it a day. But honestly, this time feels different because it has to be.
The 2025 season was a disaster. A 7-9-1 record doesn't just happen by accident. It takes a specific kind of defensive collapse to finish 30th in total yards and dead last in points allowed. After watching Matt Eberflus get shown the door following just one season as defensive coordinator, the nfl rumors dallas cowboys fans are tracking have shifted from "who might they draft?" to "how on earth are they going to fix this mess?"
The Defensive Coordinator Carousel is Spinning Fast
The search for a new defensive architect is the biggest thing happening in Frisco right now. Stephen Jones has been vocal about finding a "teacher," someone who won't leave players "out there thinking" instead of playing. It's a nice sentiment. But the list of candidates is long and, frankly, a bit chaotic.
They’ve already sat down with a massive group of candidates. We’re talking about names like Zach Orr from the Ravens and former Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon. They are even looking inside the division, which is always spicy. Christian Parker, the Eagles' defensive backs coach, is a name that keeps surfacing. Taking a coach from Philly? That’s one way to weaken a rival while trying to fix your own secondary.
Then you have guys like Charlie Bullen, who served as the Giants' interim DC. It’s a wide net. Jerry is desperate. When a defense gives up over 30 points a game, you don't just look for a new coach; you look for a miracle worker.
Why the Trevon Diggs Release Changed Everything
If you want to understand why the nfl rumors dallas cowboys sphere is so volatile right now, look at the Trevon Diggs situation. The team released him before Week 18. It was a move that sent shockwaves through the fan base.
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Diggs was supposed to be a cornerstone. Now? He’s gone, and the Cowboys are left staring at a depth chart that looks like a Swiss cheese sandwich. DaRon Bland is still there, but he can't cover everyone. This move wasn't just about performance; it was a cold, hard salary cap play. The team is roughly $34 million over the cap entering the 2026 offseason. You don't get under that number by being nice to veteran stars.
The Roster Chopping Block
Speaking of the cap, let's talk about who's next. It’s not just Diggs. Several veterans are currently looking at their contracts with a bit of sweat on their brows.
- Terence Steele: He’s been a liability in pass protection since that ACL/MCL injury. With an $18 million cap hit and a potential savings of $14 million if designated as a Post-June 1 cut, his locker might be empty soon.
- Malik Hooker: He’s been solid, but "solid" doesn't justify a $9 million cap hit when you’re $34 million in the hole. Cutting him saves $7 million.
- Logan Wilson: The trade for Wilson was supposed to stabilize the linebackers. It didn't. 24 tackles in seven games isn't exactly Ray Lewis territory. He has zero dead money on his deal, making him the easiest cut on the roster.
It’s a brutal business. Jerry Jones mentioned "dramatic things" are coming, and while we usually roll our eyes at that, the math doesn't lie. They have 22 pending free agents. That is nearly half a roster that needs to be replaced or resigned with money they don't currently have.
The George Pickens and Javonte Williams Dilemma
The bright spots? George Pickens and Javonte Williams. Pickens was a revelation in 2025, hauling in 93 catches for over 1,400 yards. He and Dak Prescott actually have chemistry, which is more than you can say for most of the offense late in the season.
Then there’s Javonte. He put up 1,200 yards on the ground. In an era where RBs are often treated as disposable, Williams proved he’s the engine of that backfield. But here’s the rub: both are unrestricted free agents.
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PFF and other insiders are already predicting a massive bidding war for Pickens. Jerry wants to keep him, obviously. But how do you pay a top-tier WR and a workhorse RB when you’re already $34 million over the limit? You restructure Dak. Again.
Draft Capital and the Green Bay Gift
The Cowboys actually have a bit of a silver lining in the 2026 NFL Draft. Thanks to the Packers losing to the Bears recently, the first-round pick Dallas acquired from Green Bay is locked in at 20th overall.
Combine that with their own pick, and they have two first-rounders to play with. This is huge. If you’re a team that just released its star corner and has a revolving door at linebacker, you need those cheap, rookie-scale contracts.
The nfl rumors dallas cowboys circles are already buzzing about LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier. While Dak is still the guy—having thrown for over 4,500 yards and 30 touchdowns last year—he isn't getting any younger. The injury in 2024 took a toll, and though he says he's a "few weeks" from running again, the front office has to look at the future.
What This Means for 2026
If you’re looking for a silver lining, it’s that the Cowboys have a "bounce-back" strength of schedule. But stats don't win games in January.
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Jerry Jones is 83 years old. He wants to retire with the most Super Bowls. To do that, he has to stop being a "GM by sentiment" and start being a "GM by necessity." That means letting go of guys like Malik Hooker and potentially moving on from veterans who have been part of the "almost but not quite" era.
The reality of the nfl rumors dallas cowboys situation is that the "All-In" mantra from two years ago was a lie, but this year's "Budget Busting" might be a forced reality. They can't afford to stand still. If they do, they’ll be watching the playoffs from the couch for a third straight year.
Actionable Steps for the Cowboys Offseason
For this team to actually turn the corner in 2026, the front office has to execute a very specific sequence of moves. It isn't just about spending; it's about surgical precision.
- Finalize the DC by February: They cannot wait until the combine. They need a scheme in place so they know which of those 22 free agents actually fit the new system.
- Restructure Dak Prescott immediately: This is the only way to create the $30M+ needed to even think about tagging George Pickens.
- Prioritize the Trenches: The Terence Steele experiment at right tackle has likely reached its end. Using one of those two first-round picks on a foundational tackle is a non-negotiable.
- Secure Brandon Aubrey: He was one of the few consistent scorers, and letting a reliable kicker walk is a classic Cowboys mistake they can't afford right now.
The next few months will determine if the Cowboys are building a contender or just rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. Fans should watch the legal tampering period starting March 9 very closely. That’s when we’ll see if Jerry’s checkbook is actually open or if it’s just more talk.