What Happened to Dallas Cowboys?

The Dallas Cowboys have continued to be a dominant force in the financial landscape of professional sports, consistently ranking as the world's most valuable sports team. As of January 2026, Forbes estimated their value at an astounding $13.0 billion, a testament to their brand power, national fanbase, and lucrative sponsorships, despite not having appeared in a Super Bowl since 1995.

However, recent seasons have been marked by on-field struggles and a failure to reach the NFL playoffs. The 2024 season saw the Cowboys finish with a 7-10 record, and they missed the playoffs for the first time since 2020. This was followed by a disappointing 2025 season where they finished 7-9-1, again failing to qualify for the postseason. The team's defense, in particular, was a major concern in 2025, ranking last in points surrendered and 30th in yardage, leading to significant changes in the offseason.

A key turning point for the franchise in this period was the trade of star defensive lineman Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers in the 2025 offseason, amid a contract holdout. This move, while bringing in defensive tackle Kenny Clark and two first-round draft picks, left a significant void in the Cowboys' defensive structure. Offensively, quarterback Dak Prescott signed a monumental four-year, $240 million extension in September 2024, making him the first $60 million-per-year player in NFL history with $231 million guaranteed. Despite Prescott's strong individual performance in 2025, throwing for 4,552 yards and 30 touchdowns, the team's overall record did not reflect this offensive output.

The consequences of the consecutive playoff misses led to a significant overhaul of the coaching staff in early 2026. Brian Schottenheimer, who had served as offensive coordinator for two seasons, was elevated to head coach on January 24, 2025. Following the 2025 season, defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus was fired after just one season due to the defense's poor performance. Christian Parker, formerly the Philadelphia Eagles' defensive backs coach, was hired as the new defensive coordinator on January 22, 2026, bringing a new philosophy to the defense.

As of July 17, 2026, the Dallas Cowboys are actively preparing for the upcoming season with a revamped defensive scheme and numerous new players. They were aggressive in 2026 free agency, signing players like Javonte Williams, Rashan Gary, Jalen Thompson, and Cobie Durant, and trading for Quinnen Williams. In the 2026 NFL Draft, they focused heavily on defense, selecting safety Caleb Downs and edge rusher Malachi Lawrence in the first round. Wide receiver George Pickens, who had a second-team All-Pro season in 2025, was franchise-tagged for 2026 after failing to reach a long-term extension, a situation that remains a key storyline. The team's training camp is set to begin on July 28, 2026, in Oxnard, California, with expectations high for a return to the playoffs after a two-year drought.