Jerry Jones isn't known for aggressively adding talent in the offseason. Most years, the Dallas Cowboys sit back and watch their rivals make big moves while their own roster remains stagnant. 2026 has been different.
Through a stellar draft class and a few important additions on defense, the Cowboys look poised to truly compete at the top of the NFC in the upcoming season. Their work hasn't gone unnoticed, either.
In a recent article, Bleacher Report NFL analyst Brent Sobleski graded every team's offseason. With an "A-," Dallas received the top mark in the conference. These moves only matter if they translate to success on the field, but this is a new kind of urgency from Jones.
Dallas Cowboys' offseason graded as the best in the NFC
If there has been a theme of the Cowboys' offseason thus far, it's that mediocrity isn't good enough. They've moved on from multiple key contributors in search of something better. Most notably, Christian Parker has replaced Matt Eberflus as the team's defensive coordinator. The switch marks a shift away from the typical philosophy of stability in favor of a higher ceiling.
Similar risks have been taken on the defensive roster, as Rashan Gary and Malachi Lawrence look to fill in the edge spots. The Cowboys have managed to completely overhaul their defense in under 12 months. Say what you will about the Micah Parsons trade, they've done an admirable job of reconstructing a passable defense in its aftermath.
No, the unit isn't elite. The front seven still leaves plenty of room for improvement. But it's a major step up from what fans watched in 2025. This group, constructed around Quinnen Williams, is capable of being competitive enough to let the offense thrive.
Of course, the Cowboys haven't done much of anything on offense. For the most part, they're expected to trot the same group out onto the field that they ended the previous campaign with. That shouldn't be a major cause for concern, though. Even if the unit takes a small step back, they'll still be dynamic enough to win games.
Compared to their division rivals, Dallas has done an admirable job of inserting themselves into the conversation at the top of the NFC.
While this offseason didn't feature the blockbuster trades or big-name free agency signings that fans may have hoped for, it brought a clear improvement to a team in desperate need of a championship run. Now, it's time to put those improvements to use.
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