Dallas tore down its defense this offseason after a historically poor year. The tone inside the building has already shifted. One of the team’s biggest additions believes the turnaround may not take as long as people think.
Why Jalen Thompson Sees Turnaround Potential in the Rebuilt Cowboys Defense
New Cowboys safety Jalen Thompson opened up about why he chose Dallas after seven seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. In an analysis piece by The Athletic’s Jon Machota, Thompson said he fits right in with the Cowboys.
“That’s kind of what I feel like I’ve been missing in the past seven years of my NFL career,” Thompson said. “I just feel like we got all the right pieces.”
That belief stands out given where Dallas is coming from. The Cowboys finished last in PFSN’s Defensive Impact rankings in 2025, capping off what was widely viewed as the worst defensive season in franchise history.
The Cowboys are pouring resources into fixing their defense and are expected to add even more talent for new defensive coordinator Christian Parker via the draft next month.
How the Cowboys Overhauled Their Defense After a Historically Poor 2025 Season
The Cowboys’ defensive problems ran deeper than one position group. Breakdowns in communication, inconsistent effort, and gaps in talent all contributed to the collapse. That combination led to a full defensive reset.
Dallas responded by targeting the secondary early. The additions of Thompson and P.J. Locke addressed a position that needed stability and versatility. Both players bring experience playing multiple roles, which should give the defense more flexibility on the back end.
That versatility is central to what Parker wants to build. The system places a premium on processing, communication, and understanding assignments across the field. Thompson’s approach fits that plan.
“My job as a safety is to know what everybody else’s job is on the football field,” he said. “I feel like with me bringing that to the football team and to the defense, we can only elevate and go up from there.”
That emphasis on awareness and communication speaks directly to last year’s biggest issues. Dallas often looked disconnected on defense, with missed assignments leading to big plays.
The expectation now is not just improvement in talent but improvement in execution.
Even without a dramatic talent upgrade across the entire unit, getting players aligned and playing fundamentally sound football should produce immediate results.
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There are still areas that need attention. Linebacker and edge depth remain concerns, and additional moves should come through the draft or trade market.
Thompson’s comments reflect a broader belief inside the organization. The Cowboys are not viewing this as a long rebuild. They see a path to quick improvement by cleaning up mistakes and maximizing the pieces already in place.
