The Cowboys’ coaching staff is nearly complete. There will be a “home” game in Rio de Janeiro for the 2026 season. Preparing for the NFL draft and free agency is underway, with upcoming visits to college campuses for pro days and meetings with agents at the scouting combine in Indianapolis.
The business of the NFL doesn’t stop. The Cowboys are coming off a 7-9-1 season where their defense was historically bad.
Offensively, things couldn’t be better.
Overall, the team must address some issues.
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Can they re-sign receiver George Pickens? Will Tyler Smith move to left tackle?
With two first-round draft picks, is there an opportunity to trade one for a premium veteran?
The front office — led by team owner and general manager Jerry Jones, vice president of player personnel Will McClay and coach Brian Schottenheimer — has a busy offseason ahead as it attempts to get the Cowboys back to the postseason and, possibly, in position for a deep playoff run.
With the 2025 NFL season over, we evaluate the key decisions facing the Cowboys as the offseason heats up:
How much money do the Cowboys have?
The NFL salary cap is projected to increase from $279.2 million to between $300 million and $305.7 million. The Cowboys are projected to be $29.1 million over. NFL teams have until March 11 (the official start of the league year) to get under the cap. The Cowboys also have carryover money from 2025 that will be applied to this season, and more money will be provided for the draft picks.
What should the Cowboys do with the money?
The first step to create cap space is to restructure the contracts of quarterback Dak Prescott, receiver CeeDee Lamb, Smith and defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa. By doing so, the Cowboys can open up $79.621 million in cap space. The Cowboys can cut right tackle Terence Steele ($14 million), safety Malik Hooker ($6.85 million) and linebacker Logan Wilson ($6.5 million) to create more space.
The Cowboys must make decisions on 15 unrestricted free agents, four restricted free agents and two exclusive rights free agents. At the forefront of this is taking care of the Fantastic Four of free agents: Pickens, Javonte Williams, Jadeveon Clowney and Brandon Aubrey.
Pickens can be franchised starting Feb. 17, with the projected number at $28 million, according to overthecap.com. The team won’t have substantial talks with Pickens’ agents until the scouting combine later this month. Club officials spoke to the agent of Williams, but those talks are on hold until he finds a new agent.
Discussions with Clowney and Aubrey’s agents will pick up at the combine. Aubrey is a restricted free agent, and the Cowboys can place a first-round tender ($8.107 million) or second-round tender ($5.811 million) on him. Jones has expressed a desire to re-sign Clowney.
What’s up with George Pickens?
The biggest name on the pending free agent market is Pickens, the talented wide receiver who can drive you crazy on and off the field.
The Cowboys have not held any talks with Pickens about a contract extension and won’t do so until the combine. Here’s what to expect: The Cowboys can franchise him. The deadline to tag Pickens is 3 p.m. Dallas time on March 3. Once he’s franchised, Pickens has until July 15 to sign a contract extension or all hell will break loose.
The Cowboys can trade his rights to another team, or he can choose to avoid reporting to any offseason workouts or to training camp until he signs the tag or gets a multiyear extension.
If he misses offseason workouts and training camp, he has until Week 10 of the 2026 season to sign the tag. The Cowboys and Pickens expressed a desire to be joined at the hip. The same thing was said during the Micah Parsons negotiations, and you know how that ended.
How can the Cowboys fix the defense?
The Cowboys gave up a franchise record 511 points in 2025 and let go of defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. Christian Parker, who has ties to the Eagles and Broncos, is the new defensive coordinator.
With two first-round picks, the Cowboys can select among a pass rusher, safety, linebacker or cornerback. Basically, everything. Dallas can go after a pass rusher at No. 12, then get the best player available at No. 20.
The team can also turn to free agency. Inside linebacker Nakobe Dean is linked to Parker. However, when Dean came out of the 2022 draft, Cowboys officials said he was too small (5-11) to play in their scheme. What about now? Linebacker Alex Singleton was the Broncos’ leading tackler last season despite missing a game for surgery to remove a cancerous tumor.
The team can also look at edge rusher in free agency. Trey Hendrickson, Haason Reddick, Malcolm Koonce and Khalil Mack are possibilities.
Which free agents should the Cowboys target?
Here are five free agent possibilities for the Cowboys:
Alex Singleton, LB, Denver: Singleton said he wants to return to the Broncos and chase a Super Bowl ring. Can he do that with Dallas?
Rico Dowdle, RB, Carolina: If the Cowboys can’t re-sign Williams, bringing back Dowdle could work. He’s well respected in the locker room.
Malcolm Koonce, Edge, Las Vegas: Coming off a torn ACL, Koonce had 4 1/2 sacks and 13 quarterback hits in a backup role in 2025.
Nakobe Dean, LB, Philadelphia: Deemed too small coming out of Georgia, but has emerged as a rising talent. Health is the biggest issue with him.
Trey Hendrickson, Edge, Cincinnati: After failing to come to contract terms for several years, he’s finally on the market. His age (31) and health (coming off core surgery) give you some pause.
Position-by-position breakdown
A quick look at the key issues at each position on the Cowboys roster:
Quarterback: There are no real questions here other than to say Dak Prescott enters Year 11 still in his prime.
Running back: Williams enters free agency and the team wants him to return. Would doubling his money to $6 million per year be enough get him back? Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah flashed a little bit last season. Can they progress to take on a bigger role?
Wide receiver: Pickens is a free agent. Lamb wants him to return. The Cowboys can afford to pay both. The issue is how much Pickens is worth. He’s guaranteed at least $28 million, so paying Lamb and Pickens north of $30 million per season isn’t an issue. Jalen Tolbert is a free agent and should get offered one-year deal to provide depth. Ryan Flournoy’s emergence allowed him to become the No. 3 receiver.
Tight end: Jake Ferguson could get his contract restructured to create roughly $4.82 million in cap space. The Cowboys really like Brevyn Spann-Ford, and he should push Luke Schoonmaker for the No. 2 gig next season.
Offensive line: So what to do with right tackle Terence Steele? He’s been a solid performer who’s drawn the ire of fans and some in the media. If you released Steele, it would open $14 million in space. But why do that if you’re going to keep Tyler Smith at left guard and Tyler Guyton at left tackle? Building more depth is important for the Cowboys. T.J. Bass is a restricted free agent and bringing him back helps.
Defensive line: The interior of the line is strong with Kenny Clark, Odighizuwa and Quinnen Williams. Clark is due an $11 million roster bonus on March 13, so a restructure to lower his cap number seems possible. Williams can also get a restructure to create some space along with Odighizuwa. The issues are on the edge. The Cowboys want Clowney to return and possibly Dante Fowler, a disappointment last season. Sam Williams is another free agent who was also disappointing last season. It seems adding another pass rusher in free agency or the draft to work opposite of Donovan Ezeiruaku might work.
Linebacker: The only linebacker worth talking about is DeMarvion Overshown. He needs to stay healthy entering a contract year. He hasn’t reached his potential because of injuries, but he’s already displayed his talent. The Cowboys have always liked Marist Liufau, a 2024 third-rounder, but believe he struggles in space against ball carriers. Logan Wilson can be cut, opening $6.5 million in cap space. Signing a linebacker in free agency is a possibility. The Cowboys could draft one, yet after the No. 20th pick they don’t select again until No. 112 (fourth round). That’s a lot of talent passing you by.
Cornerback: DaRon Bland is guaranteed $13 million, the last guaranteed money he’ll receive off his four-year $90 million deal. He comes into 2026 after another foot surgery. Bland isn’t considered an elite corner considering the money he’s making, but he’s a good player who’s had health issues. If the Cowboys find a corner with one of their two first-round picks, they should snag that player. Shavon Revel came in with plenty of hype, but his recovery from a torn ACL, suffered in East Carolina, slowed his progress. Finding a slot corner and depth is a must.
Safety: Donovan Wilson enters free agency with the hopes of returning, but it might be time to go a little younger at strong safety. Hooker had some health problems, but proved reliable when necessary. The Cowboys could snag a safety in the first round. Hello, Caleb Downs (Ohio State). Wait, what about Dillon Thieneman (Oregon)? This is a position that needs upgrades, much like the cornerback spot.
Special teams: If Brandon Aubrey isn’t taken care of, we’re not sure what to make of the franchise.
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