Following a 7-9-1 finish in 2025—the franchise’s first back-to-back losing seasons since 2002—the Dallas Cowboys enter the 2026 offseason with 22 players hitting free agency, numerous coaching changes including a new defensive coordinator, and significant cap challenges.
This page tracks every coaching change, free agent decision, and roster move as the 2026 offseason develops.
Coaching Changes
Defensive Coordinator: Christian Parker
The Cowboys hired Eagles defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator Christian Parker on January 24, 2026, less than three weeks after firing Matt Eberflus.
Parker, 34, spent several seasons under Vic Fangio and helped Philadelphia rank first in passing yards allowed in 2024 and eighth in 2025.
He becomes Dallas’ fourth defensive coordinator in four seasons.
Other Coaching Hires
- Ryan Smith – Secondary
- Derrick Ansley – Defensive Pass Game Coordinator/DBs
- Marcus Dixon – Defensive Line [Read more about it]
- Chidera Uzo-Diribe – Outside Linebackers
- Stephen Bravo-Brown – Assistant Wide Receivers
- Robert Muschamp – Assistant Secondary
- Scott Symons – Inside Linebackers
- Kyle Fuller – Assistant Offensive Line Coach/Quality Control
- Jamel Mutunga – Assistant Running Backs
- Demeitre Brown – Assistant Defensive Line
Staff Departures
With Parker building his own staff, multiple Eberflus assistants will not return:
- Andre Curtis – Pass game coordinator/secondary coach [Fired]
- David Overstreet II – Defensive backs/nickelbacks coach [Fired]
- Dave Borgonzi – Linebackers coach [Fired]
- Aaron Whitecotton – Defensive Line coach [Titans]
- Ramon Chinyoung – Assistant offensive line coach [Steelers]
- Tiquan Underwood – Assistant wide receivers coach
- Dele Harding – QB fellowship coach
As of February 19, 2026, the defensive coaching staff is complete. J.J. Clark, assistant linebackers coach, is the only holdover from the 2025 defensive staff.
Player Signings & Releases (non-FA)
- LB Logan Wilson – Waived
Unrestricted Free Agents
| Player | Position | 2025 Stats/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| George Pickens | WR | 93 catches, 1,429 yards, 9 TDs |
| Javonte Williams* | RB | Signed [3yrs/$24mil w/ $16m guaranteed] |
| Jadeveon Clowney | EDGE | Team-high 8.5 sacks |
| Dante Fowler Jr. | EDGE | Returning from 10.5-sack season in Washington |
| Donovan Wilson | S | 71 tackles, 14 missed tackles |
| Kenneth Murray | LB | Acquired from Titans in March trade |
| Jack Sanborn | LB | Placed on IR (groin) Nov. 3 |
| Sam Williams | EDGE | Returning from ACL tear |
| Payton Turner | EDGE | IR all season (ribs) |
| Miles Sanders | RB | Depth RB |
| Jalen Tolbert | WR | WR3/4 |
| Hakeem Adeniji | OT | Swing tackle |
| Brock Hoffman | IOL | Interior depth |
| Robert Jones | IOL | Interior depth |
| C.J. Goodwin | CB | Special teams ace |
| Corey Ballentine | CB | Depth corner |
* – Signed by DAL | ^ – Signed with another team
Restricted Free Agents
| Player | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Brandon Aubrey | K | 36-42 FG, 47-48 XP; extension candidate |
| T.J. Bass | OL | Interior depth |
| Juanyeh Thomas | S | Likely to move on |
Exclusive Rights Free Agents
| Player | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Josh Butler | CB | Cannot negotiate elsewhere if tendered |
| Reddy Steward | CB | Cannot negotiate elsewhere if tendered |
Key Dates
- February 23–March 2: NFL Scouting Combine
- March 9: Legal tampering period begins
- March 11: New league year begins; free agency opens
- April 23–25: NFL Draft
This page will be updated throughout the 2026 offseason.