Jerry Jones on Cowboys' Offseason Plans: “I Can’t Imagine Not Doing Things in Free Agency”
The Dallas Cowboys are staring down a long winter after a disappointing 34-17 home loss to the Chargers officially slammed the door on their playoff hopes. With the postseason out of the picture, attention in Dallas is already shifting to what comes next - and owner Jerry Jones didn’t shy away from addressing that future.
Speaking the day after the loss, Jones gave a candid look at how he’s thinking about the upcoming offseason, particularly when it comes to free agency.
“I don't know,” Jones said during an interview on 105.3 The Fan. “We'll see where we are with our own players.
I'll be active, but the question is the degree of activity. I can't imagine not doing things in free agency.”
That last line is the one to circle. For a team that has historically been selective in the free agent market, Jones is signaling a willingness - maybe even a need - to shake things up. And given the way this season has unfolded, that shouldn’t come as a surprise.
A Roster That Needs More Than Just Tweaks
Dallas brought in 11 outside free agents ahead of the 2025 season, including running back Javonte Williams and edge rusher Dante Fowler. But the results haven’t matched the investment. The Cowboys have dropped three straight and now sit at 6-8, with only two games left on the schedule - a Christmas Day clash with Washington and a season finale against the Giants.
While some of those free agent additions have flashed, the overall impact hasn’t been enough to keep Dallas in the playoff race. And with players like George Pickens set to hit the open market, the Cowboys face tough decisions about who to retain and where to reinvest.
Jones’ comments suggest he’s open to retooling the roster more aggressively than usual. But perhaps more telling than his remarks on free agency were his frustrations with the defense - a unit that was thoroughly outplayed on Sunday.
Defensive Struggles Front and Center
The Chargers came into Week 15 having failed to crack 400 total yards in any game for the past two months. Against Dallas?
They exploded for over 450 yards and 34 points. Justin Herbert wasn’t sacked once - this, despite entering the game as the most-sacked quarterback in the NFL.
Jones didn’t mince words when asked about the defense’s inability to slow down a previously sputtering LA offense.
“We are not executing, we are not getting done what we even run as a scheme,” Jones said. “And so that's very critical, to be trite. Again, there's no evasive - the point is it's a combination of many things when you can't get pressure or stop the run.”
That’s a strong indictment. And it’s not just about missed tackles or blown assignments - it’s a systemic issue.
Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus even tried calling plays from the booth instead of the sideline, hoping for a spark. It didn’t help.
The Cowboys couldn’t generate pressure, couldn’t stop the run, and couldn’t get off the field. That’s a bad trifecta, and it’s been a recurring theme during this late-season slide.
What Comes Next?
For a franchise that always carries high expectations - and often the spotlight that comes with them - this season has fallen well short of the mark. And now, the pressure shifts to the front office.
Jones’ comments make it clear: changes are coming. How big those changes are will depend on internal evaluations, the free agent market, and how the final two games unfold. But whether it’s re-signing key players like Pickens, finding new impact defenders, or reshaping the roster philosophy altogether, the Cowboys are entering a pivotal offseason.
One thing’s for sure - Jerry Jones isn’t planning to sit on his hands.
“I can’t imagine not doing things in free agency.”
That’s the kind of statement that hints at more than just tweaks. For Cowboys fans, that could mean a very different-looking team takes the field in 2026.