If the Dallas Cowboys want to get back to the playoffs in 2026, improving the defense in a big way is absolutely necessary.
After all, Dallas sported one of the worst units in the NFL in 2025 and the team needs help at just about every level. The Cowboys got off to a good start toward improving the unit by firing Matt Eberflus, but now they need actual players.
In order to add the kind of talent the Cowboys need, owner Jerry Jones is going to have to be aggressive, both in free agency and on the trade market, which means spending a significant amount of money and draft capital.
While Jones hasn't traditionally been a big spender in the former area, he revealed that is likely to change in 2026, which is exciting news for Cowboys fans who are hoping Jones doesn't pinch pennies when it comes to addressing Dallas' needs on defense.
"I would bet that we will spend more money in free agency than we have," Jones said, according to ESPN's Todd Archer.
Jones also noted that a lot of that spending will be on the defense, according to Clarence Hill Jr. of ALLDLLS.com.
Cowboys cap space update
While that's all well and good, the Cowboys have some serious work to do in order to put themselves in position to spend big.
That work comes in the form of getting under the salary cap. As things stand right now, Dallas is a whopping $56.1 million over, per Over The Cap.
Archer notes that the team will likely restructure the deals of CeeDee Lamb, Dak Prescott and Tyler Smith, which would free up $66 million and give Dallas about $10 million in cap space.
Jones also said Dallas will rework the contracts of Kenny Clark, Quinnen Williams and Osa Odighizuwa.
"I want you to know that the only way to push more [out] is for me to go borrow some of my future, OK?" Jones said. "Expect me to go borrow some of my future."
But we also have to factor in the yet-to-be-added contracts of Javonte Williams, who was recently re-signed, and George Pickens, who is officially on the $28 million franchise tag until a deal can be worked out.
Bear in mind, there is no guarantee that deal will come, and if not all $28 million of that franchise tag will be on the Cowboys' books for 2026.
Since Dallas foolishly wants to keep Pickens, which is a major gamble for several reasons, extending him is the best course forward, as it would substantially lower his cap hit for this coming season.
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