With the 2025 NFL season now in the rearview mirror, the Dallas Cowboys find themselves at a familiar crossroads: talented roster, playoff disappointment, and another long offseason filled with questions. But this time, the clearest answer might be coming from inside the locker room.
CeeDee Lamb, the Cowboys’ All-Pro wide receiver and one of the team’s unquestioned leaders, isn’t mincing words. In a recent appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, Lamb laid out what he believes is the missing piece for Dallas to get back into serious contention - and it’s not on his side of the ball.
Lamb: “We’re missing a pass rusher.”
That’s a bold statement, but it’s grounded in reality. Dallas' defense struggled mightily this past season, giving up 511 points - an average of 30.1 per game.
That’s not just bad; that’s historically bad. Only a handful of teams in NFL history have allowed that many points in a single season, and for a franchise with Super Bowl aspirations, that’s simply unacceptable.
The Cowboys’ defensive collapse was a mix of schematic misfires and personnel gaps. Matt Eberflus, who was brought in to coordinate the defense, never found the right formula, and the result was a unit that consistently got torched - especially through the air.
Dallas ranked 19th in opponent passing play percentage, allowing quarterbacks to complete over 56% of their passes. And when it came to pressuring the quarterback, they managed just 2.1 sacks per game, good for 22nd in the league.
Lamb pointed to one specific loss that loomed large: the trade of Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers. Parsons, a game-wrecker off the edge and one of the most dynamic defenders in football, was the heartbeat of the Cowboys’ pass rush. Without him, Dallas lost its identity on defense - and opposing offenses took full advantage.
“For us to elevate as far as defensive-wise, I think we’re missing a pass rusher to get to the QB,” Lamb said. “I felt like that’s what we were missing, but overall as a team and as a unit we could be better to hold up our end of the bargain.”
He’s not wrong. The Cowboys couldn’t consistently generate pressure, and when you can’t get after the quarterback in today’s NFL, you’re going to get picked apart.
It’s not just about sacks, either - it’s about collapsing the pocket, forcing hurried throws, and disrupting timing. Dallas didn’t do enough of that.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. There’s already been movement in the right direction.
The Cowboys brought in Christian Parker to take over as defensive coordinator, replacing Eberflus. Parker, who’s earned a reputation as a sharp, innovative defensive mind, will be tasked with rebuilding a unit that clearly needs a spark.
And with Jerry Jones still chasing that elusive sixth Lombardi Trophy - a goal he’s made no secret of - expect Dallas to be aggressive this offseason.
That could mean exploring the free agent market for an edge rusher or swinging a trade to bring in someone who can fill the void left by Parsons. Either way, the Cowboys can’t afford to stand pat.
Lamb, for his part, remains optimistic - and determined.
“Have faith, man. Just have faith.
I know it’s a lot to ask for and it’s been a long time,” he said. “Believe in us.
We’re continuing to work. I know as long as I’m here I’m going to continue to work my tail off to make sure that we’re hoisting up the trophy.
And we’re going to do it very fashionably.”
That kind of confidence is exactly what you want from your star player. And it underscores a larger truth: the Cowboys aren’t that far off.
Yes, they went 7-9-1. Yes, the defense was a liability.
But they’ve got cornerstone talent on both sides of the ball and a front office that’s shown a willingness to make bold moves.
Now, it’s about making the right ones.
If Dallas can shore up the pass rush and give Parker the tools he needs to build a competent - if not dominant - defense, the Cowboys could be right back in the thick of the NFC playoff race. Lamb’s message is clear: the window is still open. But it won’t stay that way forever.