ARLINGTON, Texas (KOSA) – The Dallas Cowboys missed the NFL playoffs, so planning for the offseason has already begun.
The Cowboys enjoyed one of the top offenses in the league this year (2nd in total yards gained, 7th in points scored), but the defense was not up to the pace, allowing the most points of any defense this season. The Cowboys were the only team to give up at least 30 points per game to their opponents.
How can Dallas attack the offseason?
Looking for ways to improve in the offseason, there’s free agency, trades, and the draft.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said in the season-ending press conference on Wednesday that all of that is on the table, but he doesn’t want to get ahead of himself with any major promises.
Talking about free agency moves, he said the team is in a better place going into the market than they thought.
“I don’t want to sound by saying we’re going to be active in free agency, then disappoint and say that we weren’t,” Jones said. “But if we have an opportunity in free agency and if we have more than one opportunity, we’re going to take advantage of the fact that we’re in better shape today to play free agency than we thought we might be. We’re going to use it– we’re not saving it in our back pockets– to use where our advantages are.”
Dallas gained two first-round picks when Micah Parsons was traded to the Green Bay Packers in August.
First-round picks can bring in great young players, but Jones didn’t rule out using the draft capital as trade bait, either.
“I think so, we’re definitely going to take advantage of these two number ones [first-round picks]. Don’t think that we couldn’t do some trades here with those two number ones,” Jones said. “All of the value that you get out of having these extra picks and having some flexibility under the cap, we’re going to take advantage of.”
Teams can start offering free agents at 3:00 p.m. CT on March 11. The NFL Draft starts on April 23.
Addressing the defensive coordinator opening and the recent revolving door at the position:
After having the NFL’s worst defense, in terms of points allowed, the Dallas Cowboys fired defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus on Tuesday.
Dallas will now have a fourth defensive coordinator in four seasons. Dan Quinn left after the 2023 season. Mike Zimmer came back for the 2024 season and was fired after one year. Matt Eberflus was then hired and fired after the 2025 season. A new coordinator will take the job for 2026.
Jerry Jones and head coach Brian Schottenheimer laid out some of the characteristics they are looking for in their search for the right man for the job.
“I’d like to take a double handful of this guy’s [Brian Schottenheimer] qualities right here and say, ‘now that’s what we’re looking for in a defensive coordinator.’ Real passion, real enthusiasm, great, I’m talking double great, ability to communicate with players. I’ll start right there,” Jones said.
“The ability to take what is complicated information– what we ask our players to do in all three phases is complicated– we want guys that can say complicated information in a simple manner,” Schottenheimer said. “If I say something to you that you don’t understand, I need the ability to say it a different way, the same message but a different way, because how you learn might be different from, you know, how Nick learns or Ed learns. I think that’s the starting point for me.”
Jones, Schottenheimer and Stephen Jones did not rule out hiring a first-time coordinator for the spot.
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