Cowboys Betting Big on Defensive Line Core - and Jerry Jones Says They’re Not Done Yet
When the Dallas Cowboys traded away Micah Parsons just before the start of the 2025 season, it felt like a seismic shift - not just in the locker room, but in the way Jerry Jones was approaching roster building. Now, with the dust settling and the team deep into a new era, it’s clear that Jones isn’t just trying to patch things up. He’s trying to build something sustainable - and dominant - in the trenches.
The headline move, of course, was landing All-Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams from the Jets. That trade raised eyebrows across the league, and for good reason.
Williams isn’t just a splashy name - he’s a game-wrecker. And while Cowboys fans may not always be quick to give Jerry credit, they’ve seen enough on the field to admit this one’s working.
But Williams wasn’t a one-off. Back in March, Dallas handed Osa Odighizuwa a well-earned payday, locking up another key piece of their interior front.
Add in Kenny Clark - the Pro Bowl defensive tackle acquired in the Parsons deal - and the Cowboys suddenly have one of the most intimidating defensive lines in the league. The challenge now?
Keeping that trio together beyond 2025.
Jerry Jones: “We Can Build From That”
On his weekly radio appearance, Jerry Jones didn’t shy away from the looming contract questions. When asked about the narrative that Dallas can’t afford to keep all three big men - Williams, Odighizuwa, and Clark - his answer was short and confident:
“That’s not right. We can. We can build from that.”
That’s classic Jerry: bold, defiant, and more than willing to bet on his front office’s ability to navigate the cap. And to be fair, he has a point.
The Micah Parsons Trade Wasn’t About Cap Panic
There’s been a lot of talk about whether Dallas moved on from Parsons because they couldn’t afford him. But sources close to the situation have made it clear - this wasn’t about not having the money. It was about how the Cowboys wanted to spend it.
Parsons was reportedly looking for a deal that would’ve made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league. And while there’s no denying his talent, the Cowboys had already committed major dollars to Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb.
At some point, even a team with deep pockets has to make tough choices. Rather than handing over a blank check, Dallas pivoted - and built a more balanced roster in the process.
The Cap Crunch Is Real - But Not Unmanageable
Right now, Dallas is projected to be about $33 million over the salary cap for the 2026 offseason - dead last in the league. That’s a big number. But in today’s NFL, it’s not a death sentence.
We’ve seen teams like the Saints and Rams operate in cap chaos for years and still stay competitive. The key is creativity - restructuring deals, backloading contracts, using void years, and getting buy-in from players willing to shift money around for the greater good.
The Cowboys have done it before. They’ll likely do it again.
That’s why the idea that Dallas can’t keep Kenny Clark or extend someone like George Pickens - another young piece they’re reportedly high on - doesn’t hold much water. If the front office wants to make it happen, there are plenty of levers to pull.
This Isn’t a One-Year Plan
It’s also worth remembering: you don’t trade away a franchise cornerstone like Parsons and insist on Kenny Clark being part of the return just to let him walk a year later. That’s not how this front office thinks.
The moves Dallas is making - from the Williams trade to the Odighizuwa extension - are clearly geared toward building a defensive identity that can last. They’re not just trying to survive the post-Parsons era. They’re trying to thrive in it.
What’s Next?
The Cowboys still have work to do. Extensions need to be negotiated.
Cap gymnastics will be required. And Jerry Jones is going to have to get creative - maybe even a little bold - to keep this defensive line intact.
But if the last few months are any indication, he’s more than ready for the challenge.
Because for all the noise and all the questions, one thing is becoming clear: the Cowboys are building something dangerous up front. And Jerry Jones isn’t done stacking the deck just yet.