Cowboys Underachieve in 2025, But Jerry Jones Stays Confident in the Core
The Dallas Cowboys are heading into another offseason with more questions than answers, but if you ask Jerry Jones, there’s still plenty of reason for optimism. The longtime owner and general manager isn’t sugarcoating the fact that his team underdelivered this season-but he’s also not ready to hit the panic button.
“We’ve got a team that I think has got a top future,” Jones said, reflecting on where things stand heading into 2026. “Starting with the offense… and I think we’ve got the bones of a heck of a defense out there as well.”
That blend of disappointment and belief has become familiar territory for Cowboys fans. On one hand, the team put up some impressive individual numbers.
Dak Prescott crossed the 4,000-yard mark through the air, Javonte Williams rushed for over 1,000 yards, and both CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens went over the 1,000-yard receiving threshold. That’s only the second time in franchise history Dallas has had a 4,000-yard passer, a 1,000-yard rusher, and two 1,000-yard receivers in the same season.
The last time it happened? 2019.
Just like this year, they missed the playoffs then too.
But Jones isn’t dwelling on missed opportunities. He’s looking ahead, and he likes the foundation-especially on defense.
He pointed to the interior line, where Quinnen Williams (who missed the Chargers game with a neck injury), Kenny Clark, and Osa Odighizuwa have provided a strong anchor. There’s also hope in the youth movement, with linebacker DeMarvion Overshown showing flashes before exiting Sunday’s game with a concussion, and rookie edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku getting valuable reps.
Still, this is a team with clear flaws-and they’ve been exposed down the stretch.
Defensive Breakdown
The Cowboys’ defense has been a major letdown in recent weeks. They’ve gone back-to-back games without recording a sack, which is concerning given the matchups.
The Chargers, who came into Sunday ranked near the bottom of the league in sacks allowed, kept Justin Herbert clean all game. That’s a quarterback who had been sacked 11 times in his previous two outings.
Against Dallas? Not once.
The week before, the Cowboys managed just one quarterback hurry against the Vikings-another team that’s struggled to protect its passer. These aren’t just bad games; they’re red flags for a defense that has lost its edge up front.
A big part of the issue is the lack of a true game-wrecking pass rusher. Jadeveon Clowney is second on the team with four sacks, but at this stage in his career, he’s not the same force he once was.
James Houston and Dante Fowler Jr. have had their moments, but neither has been consistently disruptive. Quinnen Williams brings some pop from the interior, but the Cowboys simply aren’t getting enough pressure off the edge.
That’s a problem, and it’s one that will need to be addressed this offseason.
Coaching Carousel?
Another storyline to watch is the future of defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. He’s likely down to his final games in Dallas, but the team doesn’t plan to make a change before the season ends. While some fans might be hoping for a midseason firing to shake things up, the Cowboys seem content to ride out the year.
That decision could be strategic. With the playoffs out of reach, losing out might actually help the Cowboys in the long run.
Thanks to the Packers’ pick, Dallas currently holds the No. 13 and No. 21 selections in the 2026 NFL Draft. Not a bad position to be in for a team that was still in the playoff hunt just a week ago.
Of course, Jones would never admit to tanking-not his style. But continuing with Eberflus at the helm could be seen as a quiet nod to the bigger picture. The Cowboys have needs, and better draft positioning could help them fill them.
Diggs Returns, But Future Unclear
One bright spot in an otherwise murky season: Trevon Diggs is back on the field. After spending over two months on injured reserve, the standout corner returned Saturday and logged 52 snaps in his first game back. With DaRon Bland out for the year due to a foot injury that may require surgery, Diggs’ return came at a much-needed time.
“It was a blessing, it felt amazing,” Diggs said. “Super excited, super happy to go out there and get to compete with my brothers.”
Jerry Jones liked what he saw, at least from the sideline.
“I thought he played with a lot of awareness,” Jones said. “He played against some good competition. That’s a good quarterback out there… I was glad to see him back out there.”
But Diggs’ long-term future in Dallas remains uncertain. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer has previously challenged Diggs to show more consistency in all areas-tackling, effort, execution. This return was a step in the right direction, but the offseason will likely bring some tough decisions.
CeeDee Lamb Joins Elite Company
If there’s one thing that’s not in question, it’s CeeDee Lamb’s place among the franchise’s greats. With his fifth straight 1,000-yard season, Lamb tied Hall of Famer Michael Irvin as the only Cowboys receivers to hit that mark five years in a row. He reached the milestone with a short three-yard catch in the first quarter and finished the game with six grabs for 51 yards.
That ended a three-game streak of 100-yard performances, but it didn’t diminish what’s been another stellar season for the Cowboys’ No. 1 receiver.
This also marks just the fourth time in franchise history that Dallas has had two 1,000-yard receivers in the same season. George Pickens, who came into the game with 1,212 yards, joined Lamb in that exclusive club.
The last time it happened was in 2019 with Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup. Before that, you have to go back to 2006 (Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn), and even further to 1979 with Drew Pearson and Tony Hill.
If you count tight ends, the list grows a bit longer-thanks to Jason Witten, who hit the 1,000-yard mark multiple times. But regardless of position, this kind of production isn’t something you see every year in Dallas.
Looking Ahead
The Cowboys are at a crossroads. The talent is there-at least in pockets.
The offense has firepower. The defense has pieces.
But for all the individual milestones, the team fell short of its potential in 2025. That’s the reality.
Still, Jerry Jones remains bullish on the future. With cap flexibility, multiple first-round picks, and a core of stars in place, the Cowboys have the tools to reset and reload. The question now is whether they can turn that potential into playoff wins.
Because in Dallas, the bar isn’t just making the postseason. It’s making noise when you get there.