Dallas Cowboys defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (42) tackles New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29) during the first half of an NFL game against the New York Giants on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.

Dallas Cowboys defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (42) tackles New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29) during the first half of an NFL game against the New York Giants on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.

Juan Figueroa/Staff Photographer

The Dallas Cowboys’ 53-man roster is starting to take shape, and as much as we’re still learning who will be on it, we mostly know by now who won’t be. 

The Cowboys had several pending free agents at the end of the 2025 season. Some of them — wide receiver George Pickens, running back JaVonte Williams and kicker Brandon Aubrey — signed extensions of varying lengths and will play with the star on their helmet once again in 2026.

Others, not so much. Jadeveon Clowney, Dante Fowler and others will be playing elsewhere this season, a few of them even set up to play the Cowboys with their new teams.

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Check out the full list below of departed Cowboys free agents and where they’ll be suiting up in 2026.

Re-signed with the Cowboys

WR George Pickens — Pickens signed the $27.3 million franchise tag in April to return to the Cowboys. 

RB JaVonte Williams — Williams signed a 3-year contract extension worth $24 million with the Cowboys in February.

K Brandon Aubrey — Aubrey signed a four-year contract worth $28 million to remain with the Cowboys while becoming the highest-paid kicker in the league.

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DE Sam Williams — Williams signed a one-year, $3 million deal to return to Dallas in March.

CB Reddy Steward — Steward will return to the Cowboys on a league-minimum contract in 2026.

OL T.J. Bass — Bass signed his second-round tender in the offseason worth $5.76 million.

Departing free agents

DE Jadeveon Clowney — Clowney agreed to a one-year deal with the Texans, returning to the team that drafted him. The Cowboys play the Texans in Week 4.

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DE Dante Fowler — Fowler signed a one-year deal worth $5 million with the defending champion Seattle Seahawks.

OG Rob Jones — Jones signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the 49ers in March.

DE Payton Turner — Turner signed a one-year, $1.145 million contract with the Lions in March.

LB Jack Sanborn — Sanborn will return to the Bears, where he played before the Cowboys, on a one-year contract.

WR Jalen Tolbert — Tolbert signed a one-year contract with the Dolphins, joining a wide-open competition at receiver.

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CB C.J. Goodwin — Goodwin announced his retirement from pro football in June.

OT Hakeem Adeniji — Adeniji signed with the Ravens in July but was placed on the reserve/retired list earlier this month.

DB Corey Ballentine — Ballentine signed a one-year contract with the Jaguars in June.

OL Brock Hoffman — Hoffman signed a one-year contract with the Steelers in March.

DB Juanyeh Thomas — The special teams specialist signed a one-year deal with the Colts in March.

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CB Josh Butler — Butler signed a one-year tender to return to the Cowboys.

Unsigned

LB Kenneth Murray — Murray had a bad season for a bad defense and is yet to sign with a new team, though he reportedly worked out with the Giants earlier this month.

S Donovan Wilson — The Cowboys made big moves at safety in the offseason and let Wilson walk. 

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RB Miles Sanders — Sanders’ 2025 season was cut short by injury and he required surgery in the offseason. He reportedly worked out for the Raiders earlier in camp.