The Dallas Cowboys head into the 2026 offseason with a clear priority: fixing a secondary that simply didn’t hold up its end of the bargain last season. Despite another strong year from Dak Prescott and a breakout campaign from wide receiver George Pickens, Dallas' defensive backfield was a liability-and that’s putting it kindly. If the Cowboys want to get serious about contending, they’ll need to shore up the cornerback room, and one intriguing name on the free-agent market could be a fit: Asante Samuel Jr.
Now, this isn’t a market overflowing with plug-and-play cornerback talent. But Samuel brings something valuable to the table-upside. He’s not a perfect player, and he’s not without risk, but for a team like Dallas, the potential reward might be worth it.
There’s also a layer of familiarity that could give the Cowboys an edge in the pursuit. Derrick Ansley, Dallas' newly hired defensive backs coach, has a history with Samuel from their time together with the Chargers.
Ansley coached the secondary and later served as defensive coordinator in Los Angeles, where he played a key role in Samuel’s early development. That connection could be more than just a footnote-it might be the key to bringing Samuel to Dallas.
Samuel’s best fit would likely be in the slot, where his quickness and instincts can shine. At 5-foot-10, he’s not built to consistently battle the league’s bigger outside receivers, but in the nickel, he’s proven he can be disruptive.
Of course, his injury history is part of the equation here-it’s the main reason a player with his skill set is even available. But when healthy, Samuel has shown he can be a difference-maker.
His time with the Chargers gave us a glimpse of what he can do when he’s right-fluid hips, sharp reads, and a knack for getting his hands on the football. His stint in Pittsburgh was brief and came too late in the year to make a major splash, but even in limited action, he flashed the ability that once made him one of the more promising young corners in the league.
What makes this potential pairing even more interesting is the Cowboys’ new defensive coordinator, Christian Parker. Parker has built a reputation for developing young defensive backs, with recent success stories like Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean under his belt. If Samuel lands in Dallas, he’d be walking into a coaching environment that knows how to maximize secondary talent.
This would be a calculated gamble for the Cowboys. They’d be betting on Samuel’s health and banking on their coaching staff to unlock his full potential.
But given the state of the secondary and the urgency to win now, it’s a move that makes a lot of sense. Samuel wouldn’t be a cure-all, but he could be a key piece in a revamped defense that badly needs a spark.