The defense was so bad that Dallas Cowboys fans couldn't wait for the 2025 season to end. They quickly moved on from defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, and though the search is only just getting underway, the early signs are highly encouraging.
While the DC search is priority No. 1, the front office is already at work laying the foundation for next season's roster. While Dallas is working to re-sign running back Javonte Williams, they have added nine players to the offseason roster via reserve/futures contracts.
These aren't high-profile names, but a lot of them will sound familiar given they spent time on the 2025 practice squad.
Cowboys sign 9 players to futures deals after 2025 regular season
Here's a look at the players who have inked future deals as of Jan. 9
- WR Traeshon Holden
- RB Israel Abanikanda
- DE Isaiah Land
- DB Zion Childress
- WR Parris Campbell
- OL Marcellus Johnson
- OL Nick Everett
- S Julius Wood
- DE Adedayo Odeleye
That list is headlined by a lot of promising young talents, including Traeshon Holden and Zion Childress, who signed with Dallas as undrafted free agents after the 2025 NFL Draft.
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Holden was a training camp standout who formed a strong case to make the 53-man roster. While he showed more receiving chops than a lot of the Cowboys' depth receivers, his inability to contribute on special teams saw him waived and re-signed to the practice squad. With the future of Jalen Tolbert in question, there might be a path for Holden to make the 53 as a second-year player.
Childress is another player Cowboys fans would like to see play more in 2026. The Kentucky product saw the field in Weeks 2 and 3 before converting back to the practice squad. He joined the Texans briefly before re-signing with Dallas' practice squad.
Israel Abanikanda is the other headliner, even though he didn't sign with the Cowboys' practice squad until late November. A longtime favorite of those who studied the 2023 draft, Abanikanda is now guaranteed a spot on the 90-man offseason roster up until at least training camp.
As of this writing, the only competition standing in his way is Jaydon Blue. Javonte Williams and Malik Davis could both re-enter the mix depending on how free agency unfolds, but Cowboys fans will be hoping Israel Abanikanda gets a fair shot to make noise in the backfield.