The Dallas Cowboys missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season in 2025, surrendering a franchise-record 511 points and finishing 32nd in scoring defense. The response was swift, as Dallas fired defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus and hired Christian Parker from the Philadelphia Eagles to replace him.
They spent the offseason rebuilding a defense that was widely considered one of the worst in the league. The Cowboys added a wave of defensive talent, which will help them in closing the gap between their prolific offense and the unit that ruined their season.
Brian Schottenheimer Has His Eyes Set on a Super Bowl Run
Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer impressed everyone with how he performed in his first season as a head coach in the NFL. He is confident about his team’s chances of contending in the upcoming season.
“Super Bowl 61, February 14th, 2027, that’s where we plan on being,” Schottenheimer said today in a press conference.
“That’s a tall task,” the Cowboys HC added. “And we have to clean up a number of things that we need to improve on from last year… But it was proven this year by Seattle and New England that if you didn’t qualify for the playoffs the previous year, it doesn’t mean you can’t get to the big game.”
The Cowboys’ defensive rebuild started with Quinnen Williams, whom the team acquired from the New York Jets at the 2025 trade deadline. He will anchor Parker’s scheme alongside Kenny Clark, who arrived in Dallas as part of the Micah Parsons trade. Rashan Gary, acquired from the Green Bay Packers, is also a proven pass-rushing presence off the edge.
In free agency, Dallas signed former Arizona Cardinals safety Jalen Thompson to a three-year, $33 million deal, the franchise’s biggest free agent agreement in over a decade. The secondary also added cornerback Cobie Durant, who led the NFL with 3 interceptions during the 2025 playoffs.
The draft was even more defense-heavy. Dallas traded up to No. 11 overall for Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, and later drafted edge rusher Malachi Lawrence in the first round as well. Five of seven draft picks went to the defensive side of the ball, as owner Jerry Jones knew the team needed massive improvement on defense.
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According to PFSN’s Defense Impact Metric, Dallas’ defense ranked last in the league last season with an impact score of 62.1.
The bold Super Bowl aspirations look somewhat realistic when you consider the offense Schottenheimer already has in place. According to PFSN’s Offense Impact Metric, the Cowboys’ offense posted an impact score of 84.8 last season, ranking sixth in the league.
In 2025, quarterback Dak Prescott finished third in passing yards (4,552), fourth in touchdowns (30), and seventh in QBi (83.4). George Pickens, who made the second-team All-Pro last season, has signed his franchise tag tender, which secures his return alongside CeeDee Lamb for at least one more season.
Their offense didn’t need any improvement; all they required was for the team’s defense to stop giving away games. If Parker’s unit can simply rise to league-average, the Cowboys’ scoring output should be enough to compete with anyone in the NFC.
