The drought in Arlington is officially entering its third decade, and the patience of the Dallas Cowboys faithful has reached its breaking point. For the first time in recent memory, the “America’s Team” moniker feels more like a burden than a badge of honor. After back-to-back losing seasons and a 30-year absence from the NFC Championship game, a feat every other team in the conference has achieved at least once since 2010, the front office is finally facing the music.
The 2025 campaign was a defensive disaster, with the unit bottoming out in yards and points allowed. Enter Christian Parker, the new defensive coordinator tasked with cleaning up the mess. Jerry Jones has admitted that one or two players won’t cut it; this is a total overhaul. Armed with the number 12 and 20 picks in the upcoming draft, yielded from the blockbuster Micah Parsons trade to Green Bay, the Cowboys are staring down a pivotal crossroads.
Jerry Jones Is “Borrowing From the Future” to Save the Present
The Cowboys have long been criticized for their “wait and see” approach to free agency, often settling for bargain-bin deals while the heavy hitters fly off the board.
That era appears to be over. With the NFL salary cap set at $301.2 million, Dallas entered the offseason in a massive hole, but they aren’t playing it safe. To create the necessary war chest, the team is restructuring the contracts of their offensive anchors: Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and left guard Tyler Smith. These moves alone are expected to carve out a massive $66 million in breathing room.
Jerry Jones isn’t stopping there. The defensive front is also getting a financial facelift, with plans to rework the deals of Kenny Clark, Quinnen Williams, and Osa Odighizuwa. By adding voidable years to these contracts, the Cowboys are essentially pushing the bill down the road to maximize their window right now.
“I want you to know that the only way to push more [out] is for me to go borrow some of my future, OK?” Jones told reporters, effectively confirming that he’s going “all-in” for 2026. While the offense remains a powerhouse, these cap maneuvers signal that the front office finally realizes that even a high-octane Dak-to-CeeDee connection can’t outscore a defense that gives up 30 points a night.
The Massive Impact of Javonte Williams and George Pickens
While the defense is under construction, the offensive side of the ball is looking remarkably stable thanks to two savvy 2025 acquisitions. Both Javonte Williams and George Pickens arrived in Dallas on “prove-it” deals, and they did exactly that.
Williams silenced his doubters by turning in a career-best 1,338 yards and 13 touchdowns, earning himself a well-deserved three-year, $24 million extension with $16 million guaranteed. Having a bell-cow back who can handle the heavy lifting has taken a massive amount of pressure off Dak Prescott’s shoulders.
Then there is George Pickens, who evolved into a true WR1 alongside CeeDee Lamb. Pickens hauled in 93 receptions for a staggering 1,429 yards and nine scores, proving he’s more than just a highlight-reel machine. To ensure he doesn’t walk, the Cowboys placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on the 24-year-old.
With these two secured, the offense is championship-ready; the only question left is whether the $129 million in restructured cap space will be enough to build a defense that doesn’t collapse under the bright lights of January.
