Dallas Cowboys revamp defense for 2026 playoff push

The Dallas Cowboys entered the 2026 NFL season with a new defensive coordinator, Christian Parker, after the departure of Matt Eberflus. Parker inherited a unit that ranked last in the league in points allowed in 2025, and he has overhauled the scheme and personnel to try to lift the defense from the bottom of the standings.

Key additions include edge rusher Rashan Gary, rookie defensive end Malachi Lawrence, inside linebacker Dee Winters, safety Caleb Downs, former Arizona Cardinals safety Jalen Thompson, and cornerback Cobie Durant. The team also retained promising players such as Shavon Revel Jr. and is evaluating rookie Day‑3 pick Devin Moore, a fourth‑round cornerback selected in the 2026 draft, who could see a role in training camp.

Analysts suggest that if the revamped defense can reach at least an average level, the Cowboys could return to the playoffs for the first time since 2023, despite having won seven games in 2025 with the league's worst defense.