And with that, the 2025 Dallas Cowboys' season is over. They finished with a 7-9-1 record despite boasting arguably the best offense in football for most of the year.
It's one of the more disappointing seasons in recent memory, and the front office has a lot of work to do, specifically on the defensive side of the ball, to ensure it doesn't happen again in 2026. Part of that process will be parting ways with free agents who didn't do enough to earn a new contract.
While Jerry Jones has a tendency to zig when everyone else zags, it would be more surprising than not if these players are back with the Cowboys next year.
These Dallas Cowboys likely just played their last game with the team
Kenneth Murray
Murray's last snap of the season could not have come soon enough. He's been one of the worst linebackers in the NFL, ranking as Pro Football Focus' worst run defender with a 32.9 run-defense grade by a considerable margin, with a 40.1 player grade to boot.
There was a semblance of hope that Murray would show improvement under Matt Eberflus, who has developed many a linebacker during his time in the league. While Eberflus hasn't managed to develop anyone on the Cowboys' defense, Murray is the same player he was at Oklahoma. He can't be fixed.
Murray's contract expires after the season, and it's a safe bet that he will not be re-signed. He's the face of arguably the worst linebacker room in the game.
Sam Williams
Outside of the occasional splash play on special teams, Williams had a disaster of a contract year. With no Micah Parsons or DeMarcus Lawrence blocking his way onto the field, Williams got all the snaps he can handle and he did not make the most of them.
In 252 pass-rush snaps (before Week 18), Williams tallied 21 pressures, one sack, four quarterback hits, six tackles for loss, and 17 hurries, per PFF. The former second-round pick was a rumored extension candidate before the season. The Cowboys are lucky they didn't jump the gun there.
Donovan Wilson
The Cowboys need two new starters at safety, but moving on from Wilson should be an easy call, being that he's out of a contract. While Eberflus certainly didn't do Wilson any favors by playing him deep in coverage throughout the season, he wasn't good in any role.
The 30-year-old hits as hard as any defensive back in football, but he hardly made an impact near the line of scrimmage in 2024. He missed as many tackles this year as he has defensive stops (15), while allowing a 114.3 passer rating in coverage and tallying just four QB pressures.
Wilson carved out a nice career for himself as a former sixth-round pick, but his time in Dallas has run its course.
Dante Fowler
You can lump Fowler into the laundry list of Cowboys who regressed under Eberflus. After compiling 10.5 sacks with the Commanders last season (one shy of his career high), Fowler managed just three sacks in 17 games on more pass-rush snaps.
The former No. 3 overall pick is a fine DE4 to unleash on third downs in obvious passing situations. Maybe Dallas decides to bring him back on the cheap, but if the front office prioritizes re-signing any pass rusher from the 2025 squad, it should be Jadeveon Clowney.
Fowler will turn 32 before the start of next season, and he didn't come close to living up to his $5 million contract this year.
Jack Sanborn
Between identifying Kenneth Murray and Sanborn as solutions, Eberflus risks losing his reputation as a "linebacker whisperer." A former fan favorite among the Chicago Bears faithful, Sanborn was an utter disaster for the Cowboys before a groin injury prematurely ended his season.
While Sanborn wasn't awful at getting downhill in run defense, opposing offenses made it a point to target him in coverage, and they were very successful in doing so. The fourth-year pro allowed a 107.3 passer rating. His lack of athleticism made it a difficult watch when he tried to chase down pass-catchers.
The linebacker position is another that will look completely different in 2026. As an Eberflus disciple, Sanborn is a long shot, at best, to be back with the Cowboys.