Inside The Star
This time tomorrow, the Dallas Cowboys will be gearing up for their final game of the 2025 season; at best, it will be their first .500 season since the 2019 campaign — at its worst, 7-9-1.
That would be the first losing season Dak Prescott has had in a year when he was fully healthy.
Based on that, and what we’ve seen on screen since September, it is clear that changes must be made in Dallas this offseason. The top-end talent on the roster is too good for years like this.
The good news is they can make those needed moves; the question is, will they actually do it, and what does that look like this winter?
Here, I’ll go over a few of those bold moves the organization could, and should, make to get this team back into the postseason in 2026. If you’re Stephen or Jerry, now would be a good time to close your eyes, because some money is about to be theoretically spent.
It feels like a lifetime since the Cowboys had a concrete, long-term plan at running back. Since Ezekiel Elliott’s prime, it has been a revolving door of players, featuring everybody from Tony Pollard to Deuce Vaughn.
It is time to end that cycle by paying Javonte Williams this offseason.
https://twitter.com/SleeperCowboys/status/2007210353747427429
The former Bronco got healthy in 2025 and showed he is not only back, but he is better than he ever was.
Williams deserves a multi-year deal to return to Dallas as the clear-cut RB1 going forward.
The question everybody wants an answer to is “What will the Cowboys do with George Pickens?” To me, that outcome is far from a mystery.
Dallas loves Pickens’ ability, but with the defense needing so many reinforcements, the offense being strong without him, and his well-known personal quirks, they may not want to commit to him for the next four to five years.
That sounds like a perfect time to use the franchise tag.
You keep your options open with him for another season, even if it is bold to commit the significant sum that comes with tagging a wide receiver.
We’ve already seen the process start here with the waiving of former All-Pro Trevon Diggs, but the Cowboys need to completely tear down the secondary this winter.
If your name isn’t DaRon Bland, Shavon Revel Jr., or perhaps Caelen Carson, you can hit the road, as far as I am concerned.
This current crop of guys just isn’t working, and Dallas would actually save money by shedding guys like Malik Hooker and Donovon Wilson from the roster. Their veteran presence is nice, but it clearly isn’t enough.
Start fresh at both cornerback and safety so the process of reviving this defense can really begin.
