New Cowboys Rumors on 'Detailed' Plan for NFL Free Agency Amid Jerry Jones' Comments on Spending

The Dallas Cowboys were last in the league in points allowed per game last season and reportedly plan on improving the defensive side of the ball this offseason.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Sunday "the Cowboys are crafting a detailed free agency plan to bolster their defense" after hiring Christian Parker as their new defensive coordinator. Fowler pointed to Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean as one player to watch while also highlighting the need for a pass-rusher and nickel cornerback.

This comes after team owner Jerry Jones told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine he would "hitchhike" to win a Super Bowl and "would bet that we will spend more money in free agency than we have" in pursuit of that Lombardi Trophy.

That would be a departure from recent years, as the Cowboys were just 25th in the league in free-agency spending from 2020 to 2025.

Yet the front office is facing quite the challenge this offseason since the team is $56.1 million over the salary cap, per Over The Cap. That number could increase to approximately $68 million with second-round restricted free agency tenders for Brandon Aubrey and T.J. Bass, per Spotrac.

ESPN's Todd Archer reported the plan is to restructure the contracts of quarterback Dak Prescott, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and left guard Tyler Smith, while Jones said the team will rework the deals of defensive tackles Kenny Clark, Quinnen Williams and Osa Odighizuwa.

Those moves would help address the salary-cap situation to a degree, but outside additions will be necessary if the team is going to take the needed strides on the defensive side to be a factor in the playoff race next season.

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While Prescott, Lamb, George Pickens, Javonte Williams and Jake Ferguson led the way for an offense that was second in the league in yards and seventh in scoring in 2025, the team still finished an ugly 7-9-1 because of the defensive struggles.

That defense never fully recovered from trading star pass-rusher Micah Parsons before the season started, and now Jones and the rest of the front office have to come up with a plan to avoid a similar situation in 2026.