Jerry Jones isn't getting any younger. That’s not a jab; it’s just the reality hanging over every single move happening at The Star right now. After a 7-9-1 campaign that felt like a slow-motion car crash, the latest news on the dallas cowboys football has shifted from "what went wrong" to a desperate, almost frantic "how do we fix this before the window slams shut."
Usually, the Cowboys are the kings of "we like our guys." They sit on their hands in March, wait for the bargain bin to open, and tell us they’re saving cap space for the next big extension. Not this time. Jerry basically told the media he’s ready to "bust the budget" to win another Super Bowl before he calls it a career. It’s the kind of talk that makes cap analysts sweat and fans start dreaming of big-name free agents.
The Defensive Coordinator Carousel: Who's Actually in the Mix?
Matt Eberflus is out. It was a one-and-done disaster where the unit gave up 511 points—a franchise record that nobody wanted to break. Right now, the search for his replacement is the biggest story in Frisco.
On Wednesday, the team sat down with Christian Parker. If you haven't been following the Eagles' secondary lately, Parker is the guy credited with turning Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean into All-Pros as rookies. He’s young, he’s from the Vic Fangio tree, and honestly, he represents a massive pivot from the "old guard" defensive minds Dallas has leaned on lately.
But Parker isn't the only name on the list. The net is wide.
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- Jim Leonhard: The former Wisconsin DC who everyone thinks is a genius.
- Jonathan Gannon: Looking for a rebound after the Arizona experiment failed.
- Raheem Morris: A name Brian Schottenheimer knows well from their shared history with Dan Quinn.
- Gerald Alexander: The Steelers' DB coach who became a person of interest the second Mike Tomlin stepped down in Pittsburgh.
It’s a weird mix of "been there, done that" veterans and "next big thing" youngsters. The Cowboys are scheduled to keep the interviews rolling through the week, with an eye on someone who can finally stop the bleeding in the secondary.
Dak, Pickens, and the $240 Million Reality
Let’s talk about Dak Prescott. He’s 32 now. He just finished a season where he passed Tony Romo to become the franchise's all-time passing leader, yet the team still missed the playoffs for the second year in a row. It’s a polarizing spot to be in.
His contract is a monster. We're looking at a $74 million cap hit in 2026. Because of the way the deal is structured, moving on from him is basically impossible—you’d be looking at over $129 million in dead money if you cut him. So, the "Dak is the problem" crowd needs to buckle up, because he’s not going anywhere. Jerry has already doubled down, saying he’s "very pleased" with Dak's performance.
The real intrigue is the supporting cast. George Pickens has become a focal point of the offense alongside CeeDee Lamb. The trade for Pickens actually looked like a win, giving Dallas two legit WR1 targets. Now, the front office has to figure out if they can afford to keep that duo together while also fixing a defense that looks like Swiss cheese.
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The Draft Strategy: Two First-Rounders for the First Time in Ages
Thanks to some savvy (or lucky) maneuvering, the Cowboys are sitting on two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. They have their own at pick 12, plus an extra one from Green Bay.
Usually, the Cowboys stay home and take the best player available. But with the pressure to win now, don't be shocked if those picks are used as trade bait. There’s already chatter about packaging them to move up for a generational pass rusher or moving them for a proven veteran who can contribute on Day 1.
Jerry mentioned focusing on "Power Five" schools moving forward. They’re tired of project players from small schools taking three years to develop. They need guys who have played in front of 100,000 people and can handle the "America's Team" spotlight immediately.
Why This Offseason Feels Different
It’s the lack of patience. In years past, Stephen Jones would talk about "measured approaches." This year? The tone is different. They know they have a roster that should be winning ten games but is consistently underperforming.
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The defense was the culprit in the season finale, a 34-17 loss to a three-win Giants team. Think about that. Jaxson Dart, a rookie, carved up the Dallas secondary like he was playing a high school scrimmage. It was embarrassing. It forced the firing of Eberflus and it’s forcing the front office to reconsider everything about how they build the back end of the defense.
Actionable Steps for Cowboys Fans
If you're trying to keep up with the latest news on the dallas cowboys football, you need to watch three specific dates. First, the end of January, which is when we expect a DC hire to be finalized. Second, the start of the "legal tampering" period in March—this is where we'll see if Jerry was serious about "busting the budget." Finally, keep an eye on the Pro Day schedule for top defensive tackles and safeties from the SEC and Big 10.
What you can do now:
- Track the DC Tracker: Follow the official Cowboys site for the interview list; the winner usually emerges from the third or fourth "type" of candidate interviewed.
- Monitor the Cap: Check sites like Spotrac for any Dak Prescott restructuring news; if they move money around, it's a sign a big free-agency move is coming.
- Scout the Top 15: Since Dallas picks at 12, start looking at defensive anchors like Shavon Revel or the top interior linemen who can help the run defense.
The 2026 season is basically a "Super Bowl or Bust" year for the current regime. If this spending spree doesn't result in a deep playoff run, the changes next January won't just be at defensive coordinator—they’ll be everywhere.