The Dallas Cowboys are heading into a pivotal offseason, and once again, contract drama is part of the story. This time, it went beyond the usual back-and-forth.
After a tense standoff, star linebacker Micah Parsons requested a trade-and got it. He’s now a member of the Green Bay Packers, locked into a four-year, $188 million deal.
That’s a seismic shift for a team that’s long leaned on Parsons as the heart of its defense.
This move comes on the heels of other high-profile negotiations that didn’t exactly go smoothly. The Dak Prescott extension saga lingered longer than it should have, and CeeDee Lamb’s deal got more complicated than fans expected.
Now, the Cowboys are staring down an offseason that could define their next five years. They’re good-but the question is, can they finally make the leap to great?
Let’s start with the defense, because that’s where the cracks have been showing. Over the past two seasons, the unit hasn’t held up its end of the bargain.
Dallas already made a statement by moving on from defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, and they didn’t just settle for a replacement-they made a splash. The Cowboys poached a highly regarded coach from the rival Philadelphia Eagles to take over the defensive reins.
That’s a bold move, and it signals a clear intention: fix the defense or risk wasting the prime years of a loaded offense.
And make no mistake, this offense was elite in 2025. Dallas led the league in total passing yards (4,735), ranked fourth in passing touchdowns (31), sixth in yards per carry (4.6), and 12th in rushing touchdowns (18).
That kind of production doesn’t happen by accident. Wide receiver George Pickens and running back Javonte Williams were key contributors, and both are now set to hit free agency.
That’s where things get tricky.
Executive vice president Stephen Jones addressed the situation in a recent interview, and he didn’t shy away from the challenge ahead. “Obviously, there’s guys that we want to keep from last year,” Jones said.
“Whether it’s George Pickens or it’s Javonte [Williams], those are all guys that play into the free agency picture. We’ve got work to do on the defensive side of the ball.
Whether that’s through free agency or the draft, there’s a lot of resources there that we can use to make our defense better.”
Translation: the Cowboys know they can’t afford to lose both Pickens and Williams without a plan in place. But they also know the defense needs serious investment. That puts Dallas in a classic offseason bind-do you double down on your offensive firepower, or shift resources toward fixing a defense that just lost its best player?
There’s also the draft to consider. Dallas could land a potential game-changing running back-reportedly someone who notched 42 touchdowns in college-but that’s no guarantee. Even if they do pull the trigger on a back early, replacing Williams’ production and versatility won’t be easy.
The Cowboys are walking a tightrope this offseason. They’ve got the pieces to contend, but the margin for error is thin.
Losing Parsons is a gut punch, but it could also be a catalyst. With a fresh voice leading the defense and a front office that knows the stakes, Dallas has a chance to reshape its identity.
Whether that means re-signing key offensive players, hitting a home run in the draft, or making a splash in free agency, one thing is clear: the Cowboys can’t afford to stand still.
This isn’t just another offseason in Dallas. It’s a turning point.