Jerry Jones' offseason overhaul comes down to one Cowboys question originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Jerry Jones spent the offseason rebuilding the Dallas Cowboys' defense, which finished among the NFL's worst in 2025. One NFL ******* yst believes those changes could determine whether Dallas returns to playoff contention or endures another disappointing season.
Jones made defense the Cowboys' top priority after Dallas allowed an NFL-worst 30.0 points per game last season. According to Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport, the team's outlook now depends on whether its new defensive pieces can come together quickly enough to lift the unit back to league-average production.
Davenport wrote that Dallas' best-case scenario is simple. If veteran edge rusher Rashan Gary, first-round rookie Malachi Lawrence, linebacker Dee Winters, safety Jalen Thompson and rookie Caleb Downs perform close to expectations, the Cowboys could become a legitimate threat in the NFC East. An average defense paired with Dallas' proven offense would make the team much more competitive.
Jones reshaped nearly every level of the defense during the offseason. Gary adds another experienced pass rusher, Lawrence brings first-round talent off the edge, Winters arrives after a breakout season with the San Francisco 49ers, and Thompson and Downs give Dallas two new starters in the secondary.
Jerry Jones spent the offseason rebuilding the Dallas Cowboys' defense, which finished among the NFL's worst in 2025. One NFL ******* yst believes those changes could determine whether Dallas returns to playoff contention or endures another disappointing season.
Jones made defense the Cowboys' top priority after Dallas allowed an NFL-worst 30.0 points per game last season. According to Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport, the team's outlook now depends on whether its new defensive pieces can come together quickly enough to lift the unit back to league-average production.
Davenport wrote that Dallas' best-case scenario is simple. If veteran edge rusher Rashan Gary, first-round rookie Malachi Lawrence, linebacker Dee Winters, safety Jalen Thompson and rookie Caleb Downs perform close to expectations, the Cowboys could become a legitimate threat in the NFC East. An average defense paired with Dallas' proven offense would make the team much more competitive.
Jones reshaped nearly every level of the defense during the offseason. Gary adds another experienced pass rusher, Lawrence brings first-round talent off the edge, Winters arrives after a breakout season with the San Francisco 49ers, and Thompson and Downs give Dallas two new starters in the secondary.
4 months ago
