What the Cowboys Can Learn From the Super Bowl-and Why It Starts With Defense
If there was any doubt left, Sunday’s Super Bowl made it crystal clear: defense still matters. A lot.
Sure, we love the fireworks from high-powered offenses, but when it comes to hoisting the Lombardi Trophy, it’s the teams that can clamp down late that often finish the job. And for the Cowboys, who once again fell short in the postseason, there’s a lesson staring them in the face.
Let’s start with the obvious. The Seahawks’ defense-nicknamed the “Dark Side”-was relentless.
They kept a shutout going deep into the fourth quarter and never let their foot off the gas. That kind of performance doesn’t just win games; it wins championships.
And it’s exactly the kind of identity Dallas has been chasing for years.
It’s why the Cowboys moved on from Matt Eberflus after just one season and brought in Christian Parker, a young defensive mind from the Eagles. The goal?
Build a defense that can finally match the firepower of Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and the rest of the Dallas offense. Because make no mistake-this offense is good enough to win a title.
But they can’t do it alone.
DeMarcus Lawrence’s Message Hits Hard
If anyone understands that, it’s DeMarcus Lawrence. After 11 seasons in Dallas, he made the jump to Seattle in free agency. At the time, he made headlines for saying, “Dallas is my home, but I know for sure I’m not going to win a Super Bowl there.”
Now, just one year later, he’s a champion.
Lawrence didn’t just ride the wave-he contributed. Two tackles, a QB hit, a pass deflection, and a forced fumble in the Super Bowl.
Vintage Tank. And after the confetti fell, he didn’t backtrack.
When asked what he’d say to Cowboys fans, he doubled down:
“I appreciate all my fans that supported me through it all, but at the end of the day, players win championships-not logos. Don’t ever get it twisted.”
That one’s going to sting in Dallas.
But it also underscores the point. The Cowboys have talent.
They have stars. What they need is a defense that can close games in January and February.
Young Talent Must Step Up
If that’s going to happen, it’s not just about coaching-it’s about development. The Cowboys are expected to target defense heavily in the draft, but they also need some of their young guys to take a leap. Two names to watch: Shemar James and Shavon Revel.
Shemar James got thrown into the fire as a rookie. The fifth-round pick ended up playing nearly 60% of the defensive snaps, often left to fend for himself in a linebacker room that struggled across the board. His head was spinning at times, but he still managed close to 100 tackles-including 15 in one game against the Jets.
There’s a lot to like in James’ game: physicality, instincts, and a willingness to stick his nose in the action. What he needs now is better coaching and more experience reading route combinations in zone. With Christian Parker’s arrival, the hope is that James can settle in and become a consistent rotational piece-if not more.
Shavon Revel is another player the Cowboys are banking on. Dallas was decimated at cornerback last year, and Revel wasn’t able to fully bounce back from a previous ACL injury.
But he’s the prototype: long, fast, and built for press-man coverage. If he can regain some of his athleticism and confidence, he could be a key piece in a revamped secondary.
Christian Parker has a track record of helping young corners develop. If he can do the same with Revel, Dallas might finally have the kind of outside coverage it’s been lacking. And with the team likely to target another corner in the draft, the pressure is on for Revel to prove he belongs.
Don’t Overpay at Running Back
While defense is priority No. 1, the Cowboys also face a big decision on the offensive side-specifically at running back. Javonte Williams is set to hit free agency, and the question is whether Dallas should pay up to keep him.
History says no.
Since 2014, no Super Bowl-winning team has had a running back account for more than 1.5% of the salary cap. In fact, most have spent less than 1.0% on their lead back.
The last time a team went big at the position and still won it all? Marshawn Lynch in 2013.
That was over a decade ago.
The Seahawks just won the Super Bowl with Kenneth Walker, a second-round pick still on his rookie deal. That’s the model-invest in talent, not in bloated contracts at a position with a short shelf life. The Cowboys would be wise to follow suit.
Could Dallas Be in the Kickoff Game Again?
Looking ahead, there’s buzz about the Cowboys potentially opening the 2026 season in the NFL Kickoff Game-for the second year in a row. The Seahawks, as defending champs, will host. And Dallas is one of the visiting teams on their schedule.
It would be a marquee matchup: Dak Prescott and the Cowboys offense taking on the league’s No. 1 defense. It’s the kind of game that grabs national attention and sets the tone for the season. Whether the league pulls the trigger on back-to-back Kickoff Game appearances for Dallas remains to be seen, but there’s no denying the intrigue.
Final Word
The Cowboys have the pieces. They have the star power.
What they need is a defense that can finish. Sunday’s Super Bowl was a reminder that elite defenses still win championships-and that building one should be Dallas’ top priority this offseason.
Whether it’s through the draft, free agency, or internal development, the path is clear. Now it’s on the Cowboys to walk it.