Dallas Cowboys Face Major Roster Overhaul After Another Playoff Miss
The Dallas Cowboys enter the 2026 offseason under intense pressure. The team finished with a disappointing 7-9-1 record. This marks their second consecutive season without a playoff appearance. Their Super Bowl drought now stretches to three full decades.
Massive Roster Changes Loom
The Cowboys currently have 22 pending free agents. Sixteen of these players are unrestricted free agents. Sources around the league expect owner Jerry Jones to retain only a small core group. The team may release nearly 17 players to completely reset the roster.
This urgency stems from problems on both offense and defense. Quarterback Dak Prescott remains in his prime. He threw for an impressive 4,552 yards and 30 touchdowns during the 2025 season. His performance kept the Cowboys' offense among the NFL's best units.
Defensive Struggles Force Changes
The defense, however, struggled significantly. They allowed close to 30 points per game on average. This poor performance led to the firing of defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. Dallas recorded just 35 sacks all season. This represents their lowest total since the 2020 campaign.
Offensive Cornerstones Provide Direction
Wide receiver George Pickens and running back Javonte Williams stand out as players Dallas must absolutely retain. Pickens caught 93 passes for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns. Williams rushed for 1,201 yards and 11 touchdowns on 252 carries.
Reporter Shane Taylor emphasized their importance in a January 13 analysis. He wrote that Pickens and Williams should be brought back without question. Taylor also highlighted kicker Brandon Aubrey as another essential player to retain.
Aubrey scored 155 points during the season, ranking third in the entire NFL. He made 85.7 percent of his field goal attempts. His extra point conversion rate reached 97.9 percent. This reliability proved crucial for the high-scoring Cowboys offense.
Defensive Standouts and Needs
On defense, Jadeveon Clowney led the team with 8.5 sacks. He joined Dallas in September 2025. Sam Williams showed promising progress as a rotational pass rusher. The rest of the defensive unit produced inconsistent results throughout the season.
The Cowboys clearly need upgrades at linebacker and cornerback positions. The team will likely address these gaps through draft picks and free agency signings.
Salary Cap Constraints Add Pressure
Owner Jerry Jones spoke to reporters after the Week 18 loss to the New York Giants. He suggested the team could make dramatic changes this offseason. The Cowboys currently sit over $34 million above the salary cap. This financial reality makes player releases and contract restructures unavoidable.
For Jones, the path forward appears clear. The team must extend George Pickens' contract. They need to keep Javonte Williams in the backfield. Major defensive moves must happen through free agency and the draft. Standing still simply isn't an option if Dallas wants to maximize Dak Prescott's remaining prime years.
The ultimate goal remains ending their lengthy playoff drought. After thirty years without a Super Bowl appearance, Cowboys fans demand meaningful change. This offseason represents a critical opportunity to reshape the roster for future success.
