The Dallas Cowboys are approaching the 2026 season with a clear mindset — win now.
After falling short of expectations last season, Dallas wasted no time making aggressive moves in free agency, reshaping its roster in an effort to get back into the playoff picture.
The Cowboys entered the offseason in a tough salary cap situation, but a series of contract restructures opened the door for a busy few weeks. And they took full advantage.
One of the biggest moves was trading for pass rusher Rashan Gary,
a proven defensive presence who should immediately upgrade the edge. Dallas also signed safety Jalen Thompson to a multi-year deal, addressing a long-standing weakness in the secondary.
On offense, the resigning of running back Javonte Williams provides a major boost. Coming off a strong season, Williams brings both power and explosiveness to a Cowboys offense that already features plenty of firepower.
But while the additions have been impressive, the departures have been just as significant.
The Cowboys moved on from defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa, trading one of their most disruptive interior linemen. They also lost several depth pieces, including wide receiver Jalen Tolbert, leaving some holes that still need to be addressed.
And that’s where the draft comes in.
Despite all the activity, Dallas still has clear needs especially at linebacker and along the defensive front. Depth at cornerback is also a concern, even after adding veteran help in free agency.
The biggest challenge for the Cowboys will be finding balance.
The offense is already one of the most explosive units in the league, but the defense has to improve for this team to take the next step. The moves they’ve made suggest they understand that, but it will take more than just a few signings to fix everything.
There’s also pressure.
With an aggressive offseason comes higher expectations. The Cowboys aren’t just trying to compete they’re trying to contend.
If their new additions can perform at a high level and the draft fills in the remaining gaps, Dallas has the potential to be one of the more dangerous teams in the NFC.
But if not, this all-in approach could come with consequences.
For now, though, one thing is clear the Cowboys are pushing their chips to the center of the table.
