DALLAS — The Dallas Cowboys made roster and coaching changes for the 2026 season after a 7-9-1 record in 2025. The team acquired edge rusher Rashan Gary via trade, drafted safety Caleb Downs and edge rusher Malachi Lawrence in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and hired nine new defensive assistants.

Brian Schottenheimer was head coach in 2025. The offense ranked second in total yards and seventh in scoring. Dak Prescott started all 17 games, completing 404 passes for 4,552 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He led the NFL in completions. CeeDee Lamb recorded over 1,000 receiving yards, and Jake Ferguson had 82 receptions and nine touchdowns.

The defense allowed 30.1 points per game in 2025. It ranked last in pass defense and third-down efficiency and 30th in total yards. Kenneth Murray led with 81 tackles. DaRon Bland contributed 73 tackles, six passes defensed, and an interception returned for a touchdown. Jadeveon Clowney recorded 8.5 sacks.

The Cowboys brought in former Philadelphia Eagles passing game coordinator Christian Parker. The team made moves in free agency, signing safety Jalen Thompson and cornerbacks Cobie Durant and P.J. Locke. Dallas traded a 2027 fourth-round pick to Green Bay for Gary, who has 46.5 career sacks. The team traded a fifth-round pick to San Francisco for Dee Winters, who had 101 tackles and one interception in the previous season.

Dallas traded two fifth-round picks to Miami to select Downs with the 11th overall pick. Lawrence, who recorded 19.5 sacks over three seasons at UCF, was selected 23rd overall. The team drafted Jaishawn Barham in the third round and Devin Moore in the fourth. Dallas signed Otito Ogbonnia and Jonathan Bullard to one-year contracts.