This time tomorrow, the Dallas Cowboys will be gearing up for their final game of the 2025 season; at best, it will be their first .500 season since the 2019 campaign — at its worst, 7-9-1.

That would be the first losing season Dak Prescott has had in a year when he was fully healthy.

Based on that, and what we’ve seen on screen since September, it is clear that changes must be made in Dallas this offseason. The top-end talent on the roster is too good for years like this.

The good news is they can make those needed moves; the question is, will they actually do it, and what does that look like this winter?

Here, I’ll go over a few of those bold moves the organization could, and should, make to get this team back into the postseason in 2026. If you’re Stephen or Jerry, now would be a good time to close your eyes, because some money is about to be theoretically spent.

1. Stop Playing Running Back Roulette, Pay Javonte Williams

It feels like a lifetime since the Cowboys had a concrete, long-term plan at running back. Since Ezekiel Elliott’s prime, it has been a revolving door of players, featuring everybody from Tony Pollard to Deuce Vaughn.

It is time to end that cycle by paying Javonte Williams this offseason.

The former Bronco got healthy in 2025 and showed he is not only back, but he is better than he ever was.

Williams deserves a multi-year deal to return to Dallas as the clear-cut RB1 going forward.

2. Keep Options Open, Franchise Tag George Pickens

The question everybody wants an answer to is “What will the Cowboys do with George Pickens?” To me, that outcome is far from a mystery.

Dallas loves Pickens’ ability, but with the defense needing so many reinforcements, the offense being strong without him, and his well-known personal quirks, they may not want to commit to him for the next four to five years.

That sounds like a perfect time to use the franchise tag.

You keep your options open with him for another season, even if it is bold to commit the significant sum that comes with tagging a wide receiver.

3. Shed Current Secondary, Rebuild From The Ground Up

We’ve already seen the process start here with the waiving of former All-Pro Trevon Diggs, but the Cowboys need to completely tear down the secondary this winter.

If your name isn’t DaRon Bland, Shavon Revel Jr., or perhaps Caelen Carson, you can hit the road, as far as I am concerned.

This current crop of guys just isn’t working, and Dallas would actually save money by shedding guys like Malik Hooker and Donovon Wilson from the roster. Their veteran presence is nice, but it clearly isn’t enough.

Start fresh at both cornerback and safety so the process of reviving this defense can really begin.

4. Keep Aaron Whitecotton, Send Everybody Else Packing

The arrival of Quinnen Williams should allow Defensive Line Coach Aaron Whitecotton the chance to stay, considering his experience with the star defensive tackle in New York.

New Cowboys DT Quinnen Williams on working again with Dallas defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton: “I think anybody can look at the resume. Before I had Whitecotton, I kinda was ascending to be a good defensive tackle. But once Whitecotton came into my life as a coach, I became… pic.twitter.com/IdKahfLptA

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) November 5, 2025

However, outside of Whitecotton, the entire defensive coaching staff should be out of the building following Week 18.

Dallas’s defense, despite its major roster holes, was poorly coached in 2025; that obviously starts with Defensive Coordinator Matt Eberflus.

The former Bears leader and past Cowboys assistant failed to bring much of anything in his first season as DC, and the surrounding staff, again with the exception of Whitecotton, also have shown close to nothing. It is time to try again with a new staff.

5. Start Anew At Right Tackle, Move On From Terence Steele

Lastly, we have a money-saving move that some would argue should have happened a while ago.

Dallas should move on from Terence Steele this winter, thus saving money and opening up a starting role on the offensive line for a younger option.

Steele is fine, at times, especially in the running game, but his pass protection problems pop up far too often for a man making that much money. Dallas can’t afford to pay him as much as they are for his on-field output.

They could draft a new tackle with one of their two first-round picks, if they get the chance.

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