The Dallas Cowboys finished 12th in the 2025 NFC and will clearly be aiming for improvement next season.
Having strung together three wins in November, things were looking up for the Cowboys, but they suffered a poor run at the end of the season, losing four of their last five games.
What can the Cowboys do in 2026 free agency?
Cowboys 2026 Salary Cap
The Cowboys are known for being one of the more conscious teams when it comes to their salary cap.
Dallas has a history of avoiding high-price free agents. Not that they have signed poor players, they tend to get the players they want, but deals never seem to be straightforward as the Cowboys like to negotiate.
There are sure to be many players trading teams in the offseason and that will lead to an exciting start to the 2026 NFL season for fantasy players.
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If the rumors are to be believed, the Cowboys will have a bit of flexibility in free agency, but how much will depend on extensions and releases from the current roster.
Firstly, there are some players who must simply be re-signed for the Cowboys to be contenders next season.
Players Who Must be Re-signed
The most obvious player the Cowboys must re-sign is George Pickens. The wide receiver finished the 2025 NFL season with 9 touchdowns, 93 receptions, and 1,429 receiving yards.
Only two players at the end of the regular season can boost superior receiving yards and that is something the Cowboys cannot afford to lose, whatever the cost.
Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney is another unrestricted free agent the Cowboys must keep competing at the top in 2026.
Brandon Aubrey and Javonte Williams are two other players who should be offered deals.
What Can the Cowboys Do in 2026 Free Agency?
If the Cowboys can restructure some of their deals, they could have a decent cap for free agency.
It is believed they need at least $30 million to move out of the red and at least another $30 million to make their signings for next season.
There are ways to free up more money and that includes losing Jonathan Mingo and Malik Hooker, which could free up $8 million.
The defense must be the priority as the Cowboys conceded an average of almost 30 points per game in 2025. There is plenty of strength at defensive tackle but cause for concern in other areas of the defense.
That means the Cowboys cannot afford to be overly cautious in free agency.
Safety and linebacker are two areas where the Cowboys could improve in free agency and if they can restructure deals for Quinnen Williams, CeeDee Lamb, and Tyler Smith, that could free up some funds.
However, the money will not stretch to a top-quality cornerback or pass rusher, who are always difficult/expensive to obtain in free agency.
The Cowboys may spend a little more in 2026 free agency than in previous years, but as recent history has taught us, it is unlikely they are going to splash the cash.
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