Where has Jerry Jones seen the Cowboys defense improve, and what’s next – Tommy Yarrish, DallasCowboys.com
The Cowboys still need to add a veteran linebacker.
FRISCO, Texas – It was no secret that going into the 2026 offseason, addressing one of the worst defenses in franchise history would be the biggest emphasis for Jerry Jones and the Cowboys.
One of the key catchphrases Jones uttered going into the offseason was that Dallas would be willing to “bust the budget” in order to improve on the defensive side of the football. Nearly a month into the new league year, does he believe they’ve done that?
“We’ve
been aggressive. We have, relatively speaking, stepped up the financial requirements for what we have done,” Jones said at NFL Owners Meetings. “We may have exceeded, busted, whatever you want to call it, but we’re not done. We got some more to do.”
While there is more work to do ahead, Jones is optimistic about the outlook for the 2026 season because of the defensive additions they’ve made up to this point, which have come heavily in the secondary and along the defensive line.
“We’ve addressed our defense significantly,” Jones said. “Going in I thought that if we can pick that up, sustain the level that we played at on offense last year, always looking to improve, specifically with the depth of our roster, special teams. The fact that we have no reason to think we can’t be as good as we were last year on special teams. With all of that in mind, then when you are almost dead last you can anticipate some improvement and got pretty good odds you’ll get some.”
The most glaring gap on the roster at present is at linebacker, the only position on defense the Cowboys have not added an external player at. Jones and Dallas are aware of that, and Jones said the team is looking at options to improve there leading up to and in the NFL Draft later this month.
“We’re looking to improve there, personnel-wise. And are continuing to do so right now before the draft as well as the potential in the draft,” Jones said. “We want to get better there with personnel. We’ve been trying very much to make some trades. They haven’t worked out for us there. But that won’t deter us from getting better there.”
Why the Dallas Cowboys are ‘very optimistic’ they’ll be better in 2026 – Jon Machota, The Athletic
Can Dallas make it back to the playoffs in 2026?
PHOENIX — After going 7-10 in 2024 and 7-9-1 last season, the Dallas Cowboys probably need to win at least three more games in 2026 to end their playoff drought.
Have they done enough in the offseason to improve their roster? That remains to be seen.
But Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and executive vice president Stephen Jones believe they will have an improved product this upcoming season.
“Just our work in the offseason,” Stephen Jones said Monday from the NFL meetings at the Arizona Biltmore. “We had a great search in terms of revamping our defensive staff, so I feel very optimistic about that and what we can get done there. I certainly feel good about our start with our personnel, what we’ve done in free agency. And certainly sitting here with two (first-round picks), I feel good about improving our team.
“We’re very optimistic about what we can do. All you have to do is look around the league and look who was in the Super Bowl this year. Who would’ve guessed? Hats off to Seattle. Hats off to New England and the job they did. But they weren’t necessarily sitting in the catbird seat this time last year.”
The Cowboys expect to again have one of the league’s best offenses. The goal is to get the defense at least to a respectable level after being arguably the NFL’s worst last season. Jerry Jones has made several jokes this offseason about that side of the ball having nowhere to go but up.
“We’ve been aggressive,” Jerry Jones said Tuesday from the Arizona Biltmore. “We have, relatively speaking, stepped up the financial requirements for what we have done. We may have exceeded, busted (the budget), whatever you want to call it, but we got some more (to do). We’re not through.”
5 things we learned about the Cowboys at NFL’s annual meetings: George Pickens’ future and more – Calvin Watkins, Dallas Morning News
There are several interesting things going on as it pertains to the Cowboys lately.
Cowboys officials, from owner Jerry Jones to his son, co-owner Stephen Jones, and coach Brian Schottenheimer, said numerous things about the state of the team during the NFL’s annual meetings in Phoenix. After the two-day event, we tell you what was learned:
George Pickens’ future is now
Wide receiver George Pickens is seeking a long-term contract. Club officials expressed a desire to achieve this, but actions are saying something different.
The club hasn’t started any substantial contract talks with Pickens’ agent. The only accomplishment is the $27.29 million non-exclusive franchise tag placed on Pickens. Team owner Jerry Jones said the club is content with the receiver playing on the franchise tag for the 2026 season. But why even say you want Pickens here long-term without starting any real contract talks?
“Well, I don’t and won’t get into our planning and structure of our team and our cap but the franchise tag is an integral part of all teams, but certainly an integral part of our strategy over the next two or three years as we look at how to keep the best players we can have relative to the cap,” Jones said.
Based on that comment, the Cowboys are willing to franchise Pickens again next year. If a player is franchised a second consecutive year, that salary is 120% of their previous year’s salary. If a player gets franchised a third time, a club has three options: The salary jumps to 144% of their second-tag salary, the player gets the quarterback tag or a 120% salary increase of the top five salaries at his position.
It seems doubtful the Cowboys would franchise Pickens three consecutive years. If anything, they’re setting up for a bitter fight with him this summer if he refuses to sign the tag or reach an agreement for a contract extension by the July 15 deadline. Pickens is working out with quarterback Dak Prescott, but will he show up for the mandatory minicamp or training camp? That’s uncertain and something the club can’t answer right now.
‘He’s a stud’ – Brian Schottenheimer is clearly a big fan of potential Dallas Cowboys’ free agency target – Josh Taylor, Mauricio Rodriguez, AtoZ Sports
Brian Schottenheimer gives free agent linebacker Bobby Wagner a tip of the hat.
Here’s a thing you should know about Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer: He’s a very enthusiastic, high-energy, always-in-a-good-mood guy.
When he’s being interviewed, that translates to honesty in front of the mic. Which is why I think his recent comments about a potential free agency target that the Cowboys could sign before the 2026 season matter.
Schottenheimer praises free agent LB Bobby Wagner
Appearing on Kay Adams’ Up & Adams Show, Schottenheimer was asked about his take on Wagner, who remains a free agent. The Cowboys head coach didn’t hide his excitement.
“You’re looking at one of the biggest Bobby Wagner fans in the world, being in Seattle with him for three years and watching him compete and just talk trash in a good way,” Schottenheimer said. “I love that guy, and he’s still playing at a high level. So we’ll see how everything works out. It’s an exciting time of year, but Bobby Wagner, total stud.”
Schottenheimer noted the Cowboys had made unsuccessful runs at other free agent linebackers but failed to sign them—though he didn’t name them, Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker are on that list.
Daily Discussion Question: How much would adding a linebacker before the draft change your approach to the draft itself?
Hit the comments and let us know.
