It’s clear the Dallas Cowboys had more than enough talent last season to make a deeper run, but one area needed to be stronger: their defense. At least that’s how owner Jerry Jones sees it, making it clear the team will be better prepared on that side of the ball moving forward.
“What we’ve done on defense, plus what we have set up for the draft, plus what we have coming back from our veteran defensive players that really didn’t play that much last year, injury issues, things like that, gives us a lot of promise,” Jones said to the press.
“When you have the challenges we had last year, there’s no place to go but up on the defensive side of the ball. Had we played a lick of defense last year, we would’ve had ourselves, I think, a real playoff run.”
Cowboys make intriguing offseason moves
This offseason, Dallas has focused on fortifying its defense through a series of tactical additions. By trading for pass rusher Rashan Gary and signing free agents Otito Ogbonnia, Jalen Thompson, Cobie Durant, P.J. Locke, and Tyrus Wheat, the team has clearly prioritized depth and veteran experience.
Rashan Gary #52.
Despite some external skepticism regarding the lack of big-name offensive signings, Jones defended the Cowboys’ free agency moves as a calculated strategy to build a more resilient and versatile roster for the upcoming season.
Defensive struggles in 2025
The 2025 season was a defensive nightmare for the Cowboys, who finished as the league’s worst-ranked unit in points allowed. The team surrendered a staggering 30.1 points per game and a league-high 60 touchdowns, setting a new franchise record for futility.
Their secondary was particularly vulnerable, ranking dead last (32nd) in pass defense by giving up 251.5 yards per game, while the rush defense also struggled, allowing 24 rushing touchdowns. This systematic collapse across all levels of the defense led to a disappointing 7-9-1 record and the mid-January firing of coordinator Matt Eberflus.
Departure of a key leader
Although they may be mere speculations, the departure of Micah Parsons shortly before the start of the 2025 season was a hard blow for America’s Team’ defense. One of the best players at his position in the NFL, he left for the Green Bay Packers at the end of August, becoming the protagonist of one of the most significant blockbuster trades in a long time.
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