3 head-scratching offseason decisions for Cowboys, 3 great ones
· Yahoo Sports
The Dallas Cowboys begin OTAs on Monday, following one of their more active offseasons in recent memory. While the front office didn’t go “all-in,” it made several moves that have drawn both praise and criticism. ESPN’s Bill Barnwell weighed in by ranking the best and worst deals across the NFC, naming the Cowboys’ one-year, $4 million signing of Cobie Durant as their best move, while criticizing the contract restructuring for right tackle Terence Steele.Barnwell’s examples are valid, but they don’t fully capture the scope of the Cowboys’ offseason. The moves they’ve made and the opportunities they passed on provide a clearer picture of what this team could be in 2026. Here’s a closer look at the decisions that could pay off for them, and those that may come back to haunt them.
Offseason Hit: Rashan Gary, the established edge rusher
Dallas was in desperate need of a proven pass rusher after trading away Micah Parsons last offseason, a move that left a massive void in their defense. Gary brings immediate credibility to the Cowboys' pass rush, thanks to his ability to pressure the quarterback. Since entering the league, he has recorded 46.5 sacks and 325 pressures. When compared to the current edge group in Dallas, they’ve recorded a total of 12 sacks and 94 pressures combined. Recognizing their lack of production, the front office added Gary on a team-friendly deal to stabilize the pass rush.
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Offseason Head-Scratcher: No running back insurance
Dallas made the right decision by bringing back Javonte Williams, but that's the only good move they’ve made to address the running back position. They've failed to address the depth behind him, instead relying on running backs Jayden Blue, Phil Mafah, and Malik Davis to step up this season. Last year, the Cowboys added two veteran running backs, Williams and Miles Sanders, the latter playing well before suffering a season-ending injury. With Sanders out, Dallas looked to Blue and Malik Davis but saw a noticeable drop in production. If their approach last season didn’t work, then it’s fair to question why it would work now.
Offseason Hit: Jalen Thompson, the versatile safety
The Cowboys' production at safety was abysmal last season, with busted coverages and missed tackles. To address the issue, Dallas signed Jalen Thompson in free agency. One of the more versatile safeties in the NFL, Thompson has the range to rotate between free and strong safety, the size and strength to play as a box defender, and enough speed to cover in the slot. He becomes one of the most important additions to defensive coordinator Christian Parker’s scheme, a true movable chess piece. Thompson's versatility allows Parker to disguise his coverages, and his high football IQ makes him a strong candidate to wear the green dot.
Offseason Head-Scratcher: Trusting Guyton
Trusting left tackle Tyler Guyton, despite his health struggles, is a wild gamble. Normally, teams in this situation would bring in a veteran to compete and provide insurance. Instead, the Cowboys are relying on a rookie left tackle, Drew Shelton, and swing tackle Nate Thomas to fill in if Guyton goes down with another injury. The right move would have been to add a veteran and let the best man win. If Guyton wins, great, but if he loses, Dallas will have a better option at left tackle than a rookie protecting Dak Prescott's blind side.
Offseason Hit: George Pickens' franchise tag
That's right, the Pickens franchise tag was the right move for the Cowboys this offseason. Committing top-of-market money to a receiver with both on-and off-field concerns after just one elite season would have been risky. History also shows that giving two premium contracts to receivers doesn’t guarantee postseason success. Playing under the tag gives Dallas more flexibility. Pickens remains highly motivated to replicate his 2025 production, while the team has more time to weigh its options. Then next offseason, they can reassess signing him long-term based on cap growth, tag him again, trade him, or let him walk for compensatory draft capital.
Offseason Head-Scratcher: Retaining Nick Sorensen
One of the most surprising non-moves this offseason was retaining special teams coordinator Nick Sorensen. Sorensen took a special team unit that would consistently flip field position in the Cowboys' favor, and turned them into a shell of themselves in one season. Dallas’ coverage units regressed significantly, allowing 50 more yards per game than the previous season, giving the opposing teams the hidden yardage advantage. Special teams’ penalties also increased, while their average kick and punt return yards fell in 2025. Getting rid of Sorensen after a season like that should have been a no-brainer, yet he remains in the same position.
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: 3 head-scratching offseason decisions for Cowboys, 3 great ones