The Dallas Cowboys don’t have a talent problem.
They have a balance problem.
After yet another disappointing campaign in 2025 going 7-9-1, it’s easy to write Dallas off as another team destined to disappoint due to what we’ve seen over the last decade. But doing so overlooks one important reality: the Cowboys have quietly assembled one of the most explosive offenses in the NFC and maybe even in the league. The bigger question isn’t whether they can score enough point—it’s whether their defense can stop anyone long enough to matter.
That’s been the story of the Cowboys over the last few years.
The front office made one of the boldest moves in franchise history by trading away Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers last summer. Moving on from one of the NFL’s premier defensive players was always going to be controversial, and the results were immediate. The Dallas Cowboys finished the 2025 NFL season ranked No. 30 in total defense, allowing 377.0 yards per game and a league-worst 511 total points (30.1 points per game). They struggled to stop the pass and to generate sacks without Parsons and it was evident all 2025 season. They finished No. 32 in passing defense with allowing 251.5 yards through the air and No. 23 in rushing defense, allowing 125.5 yards per game. The Cowboys finished with one of the league’s worst defensive units, and it ultimately cost them a chance to compete for a playoff spot.
The frustrating part is that the offense gave them every opportunity to win.
Dallas offense, George Pickens, will keep them competitive
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George Pickens proved to be exactly what Dallas envisioned when they traded for him. Defenses could no longer devote all of their attention to CeeDee Lamb, and Pickens responded with a Pro Bowl season while emerging as one of the NFL’s most dangerous downfield threats. Suddenly, Dak Prescott has arguably one of if not the best receiving tandem in the conference, maybe even in the league.
Then, you add in Javonte Williams.
After signing in free agency, Williams rejuvenated the Cowboys rushing attack, eclipsing 1,200 rushing yards and giving Dallas the physical presence it had been searching for in the backfield. His ability to control the tempo of games made the offense more balanced and took pressure off Prescott.
When you combine all four of these offensive players, it’s difficult to find many offenses in the NFC with more firepower. You can not ignore this Cowboys team going forward especially with how dynamic they looked in 2025 and how they hope to replicate it again in 2026.
Defense still remains the biggest concern
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Last season, the Cowboys consistently found themselves in shootouts because they couldn’t generate stops when they needed them most. Opposing quarterbacks had too much time in the pocket, explosive plays became routine, and late-game defensive collapses erased great offensive performances.
That needs to change in 2026.
Dallas doesn’t need to become the NFL’s best defensive team overnight. It needs to become competent and be able to get off the field when it matters most. With their first 3 picks of the 2026 NFL Draft being defensive players, you can see that the front office and coaching staff knows their Achilles heel and addressed it immediately by drafting All-American safety Caleb Downs from Ohio State and edge rusher Malachi Lawrence from UCF. The Cowboys are hoping that their first round picks can make immediate contributions and make this defense more respectable going forward. Is that enough to save this disappointing defense from a year ago?
We will see.
The Cowboys have spent years searching for the missing piece that will return them to championship contention. They now have a lethal and explosive offense but like always, their defense doesn’t seem to be on the same level as their offense. If this team can finally find the balance, there’s no reason that this team can’t compete for a NFC Championship and potentially a Lombardi trophy.
The talent is there.
Now it’s about proving they can put it all together before another promising season slips away.
