Jerry Jones highlights Cowboys’ defensive upgrades after last season
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Jerry Jones, the outspoken longtime owner and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys, weighed in on the defensive issues that plagued the team last season.
The Cowboys finished 2025 ranked 30th in total defense and allowed 59 touchdowns. The Cincinnati Bengals were the only other NFL team to allow more opposing teams to cross the goal line last season.
Jones highlighted the additions the Cowboys’ front office has overseen so far this offseason to help address defensive deficiencies, giving him optimism heading into next month’s NFL Draft.
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Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at AT&T Stadium on December 14, 2025. (Kevin Jairaj/Imagn Images)
“What we’ve done defensively, what we’ve prepared for the draft and what we’re getting back from our veteran defensemen who didn’t play a lot last year (injury issues, things like that) gives us a lot of hope,” Jones said.
JERRY JONES Talked About the Cowboys’ Shortcomings in the 2025 Season
Some of the recent additions to Dallas’ defense include the trade acquisition of pass rusher Rashan Gary, the signing of defensive end Otito Ogbonnia, and safety PJ Locke and Jalen Thompson. Former Los Angeles Rams cornerback Cobie Durant was also added to bolster the Cowboys’ secondary.
Outside linebacker Tyrus Wheat also signed with Dallas for the second time.
The Cowboys missed the playoffs last season under first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer, finishing with a 7-9-1 record.
Sam Williams (54) of the Dallas Cowboys lines up before the game against the New York Giants at AT&T Field on September 14, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
The Dallas defense showed promise heading into the 2025 season, especially after it was gutted when star pass rusher Micah Parsons was traded to the Green Bay Packers just a week before the regular season opened.
Jones acknowledged the defensive shortcomings last season and argued that the team’s shortcomings ultimately derailed the team’s playoff hopes.
Marist Liufau (35) of the Dallas Cowboys reacts during the fourth quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on November 17, 2025. (Brooke Sutton/Getty Images)
“When you face the challenges we faced last year, you have nowhere to go but on the defensive side of the ball. If we had played some defense last year, I think we would have had a real playoff run,” Jones said.
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Dallas had notable wins over the Kansas City Chiefs and NFC East rival Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants, as well as a tie with the Packers. Quarterback Dak Prescott started all 17 games in 2025 after missing more than half of the 2024 season due to injury.
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