The Dallas Cowboys’ 2025 defense was arguably the worst in franchise history. They ended the season with the NFL’s 30th-ranked total defense and 32nd-ranked scoring defense. Regardless of what the team did offensively, they weren’t making the playoffs with how poorly they played on the other side of the ball.
Two days after the season finale at New York, the Cowboys fired defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus after only one season.
“Having known Matt Eberflus for decades now, we have tremendous respect and appreciation for him as a coach and a person,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said in a statement. “After reviewing and discussing the results of our defensive performance this season, though, it was clear that change is needed. This is the first step in that process, and we will continue that review as it applies to reaching our much higher expectations.”
Hiring the right defensive coordinator is only the first step. The personnel also needs a massive upgrade, so there is plenty of work to do in free agency and the draft.
“We got to get an identity on the defensive side of the football,” Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said recently on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas. “I don’t think we ever established what we were as a defense. We really weren’t a team that created turnovers. We didn’t get the ball. We gave up a lot of explosive (plays). At times it felt like we were (stopping) the run. But we just got a lot of work to do on that side of the ball. I think everybody knows that. We’ll go all in.”
To breakdown some of their biggest areas of need, here’s how the current defensive roster and special teams look heading into the 2026 season. You can check out the offensive roster analysis here.
Reddy Steward played in all 17 games, was fifth in tackles (63) and added 5 tackles for loss. (Jerome Miron / Imagn Images)
Cornerback
In: DaRon Bland, Shavon Revel, Caelen Carson, Trikweze Bridges
Out: Corey Ballentine
On the fence: Josh Butler, Reddy Steward, Zion Childress (signed to reserve futures contract)
Butler and Steward are exclusive rights free agents. One or both could be back, but there is some uncertainty because of how much the position needs to be upgraded. At least one Day 1 starting cornerback has to be added in free agency, via trade or in the first round of the draft. And they probably need another corner who has the ability to start because of Bland’s recent foot surgery and the uncertainty at the rest of the position. Fixing this area of the team might be the biggest task the new defensive coordinator will face in Year 1.
Safety
In: Malik Hooker, Alijah Clark, Markquese Bell, Juanyeh Thomas, Julius Wood (signed to reserve futures contract)
Out: None
On the fence: Donovan Wilson
Changes are needed at safety. The position just hasn’t been good enough. Hooker has a year left on his contract. Bell has two years remaining. Thomas is a restricted free agent. It would make sense to make a notable investment in the position from outside the building. Perhaps the new defensive coordinator will value the position more than it has been in the past. That’s where a new player could end up replacing Wilson, an unrestricted free agent.
Linebacker
In: DeMarvion Overshown, Marist Liufau, Shemar James, Isaiah Land (signed to reserve futures contract)
Out: Kenneth Murray, Jack Sanborn
On the fence: Logan Wilson, Justin Barron
Another position that massively underperformed in 2025. A notable addition is needed at middle linebacker. It’s difficult to believe that Dallas would think Wilson would be the answer there, so using a first-round pick or making a notable veteran addition seems more likely, depending on what the new defensive coordinator wants anchoring the middle of his defense.
Defensive end
In: Donovan Ezeiruaku, James Houston, Adedayo Odeleye (signed to reserve futures contract)
Out: None
On the fence: Jadeveon Clowney, Dante Fowler, Sam Williams, Payton Turner
Clowney seems like a decent bet to be on the “in” line. But he’s an unrestricted free agent and probably made himself some money with how he played this past season. The Cowboys have been very open about wanting the soon-to-be 33-year-old back next season. Fowler, Williams and Turner could easily have been on the “out” line but there’s probably a dollar amount where any one of them could be back, just because of how thin Dallas is at the position. Another spot where it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Cowboys use one of their two first-round picks.
Defensive tackle
In: Quinnen Williams, Osa Odighizuwa, Kenny Clark, Solomon Thomas, Jay Toia
Out: None
On the fence: Perrion Winfrey
This is by far the best the Cowboys have been at defensive tackle over the last 15 years. The problem: Do they have too much money tied up in the position? Probably. But the front office has been clear about wanting Clark to remain, so there will probably need to be something done to make his contract a little more manageable. Clark is scheduled to count $21.5 million against the 2026 salary cap. That’s with Williams at $21.75 million and Odighizuwa at $20.75 million. Winfrey could still be in the mix, but six defensive tackles seems unnecessary.
Special teams
In: K Brandon Aubrey, P Bryan Anger, LS Trent Sieg
Out: None
On the fence: C.J. Goodwin
Aubrey is a restricted free agent, Sieg has two years left on his contract and Anger has one. The Cowboys would love to get Aubrey signed to a long-term extension. But he’s the best kicker in football and that means an average annual salary that’s probably more than $6.5 million per season. His most recent contract had him averaging around $1 million per season. Aubrey is represented by Todd France, the same agent as Dak Prescott. The expectation is that they will eventually get something done; it just might take a while. Goodwin is an unrestricted free agent. He turns 36 next month. Dallas’ special teams had a noticeable drop-off in 2025. While moving on from Goodwin seems like a good possibility, it’s difficult to completely write him off because of how well-respected he is within the organization.