Matt Eberflus on decision to return to Cowboys, plan for Micah Parsons and more :: The Mothership
In his first chat with the Dallas media, the Cowboys’ new defensive coordinator stressed the emphasis he’ll put on taking the ball away from opposing offenses and stopping the run. Eberflus hinted at the need for some upgrades in key defensive spots, and he made it clear he plans to get the most out of the unit’s best player. “Micah is a premier pass rusher. We’re going to use him that way, certainly,” he said of Parsons. “He knows that we’ll just make him in the best light that he can be in terms of position, in terms of pass rush, and really utilizing what he does best, and that’s rushing the passer.”
NFL contract extension candidates :: Spotrac
Parsons enters 2025 with a fully guaranteed $24 million fifth-year option on the books. Spotrac lists him as a $33.7 million/year player, so him winding up with more than Nick Bosa’s $34 million per year is highly probable. But the real question is, how close could he come to $40 million?
New Dallas Cowboys assistant coach has epic quote inspiring secondary of ballhawks :: SI.com
David Overstreet II could become as much a fan favorite as Al Harris, the assistant he’s replacing. Especially after he explained the philosophy he’ll teach to the Dallas DBs: “When the ball is in the air, that’s our ball. That means he doesn’t want it anymore. If he threw it at you, that means he thinks his guy is better than you are.” Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland will likely respond to that mentality with a big fat chip on their shoulder.
Cowboys shouldn’t place franchise tag on this highly-sought after free agent :: Cowboys Wire
Osa Odighizuwa turned in his best season yet in 2024, but a one-year tag commitment of almost $24 million may be too rich for the Joneses’ blood. If they want to keep him in the silver and blue, a long-term deal may be the only way.
Cowboys have used franchise tag 11 times, with mixed results :: Cowboys Wire
From Flozell Adams in 2002 to Tony Pollard in 2023, the Cowboys have used the franchise tag tool in multiple ways. Sometimes the tactic has bought enough time for player and organization to come to a long-range deal that serves everybody (see the second tag stints for both DeMarcus Lawrence and Dak Prescott), but other times it just makes for a very expensive one-year rental that simply postpones the inevitable parting of ways.
Potential NFL salary-cap cuts for all 32 teams: From Cooper Kupp to Davante Adams and more :: The Athletic
Odds are that both veteran safeties will remain with the team, but Donovan Wilson and Malik Hooker would both be salary-cap cut candidates if the axe had to fall on someone. Wilson’s 2025 base salary is $6.5 million; Hooker’s is $5.5 million. Cutting both would leave the Cowboys over $7 million in dead money, but both players are still starting and performing well enough to retain without much debate.
Daniel Jeremiah’s latest mock draft has 3 RBs in Rd 1, none to Cowboys :: Cowboys Wire
NFL Network’s draft guru has Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton, and Ohio State’s TreVeyon Henderson all going between the 21st and 24th pick in his 2.0 mock. But at 12th overall, he likes Dallas to fortify their D-line by selecting Mississippi defensive tackle Walter Nolen.
Mock draft projects Cowboys to trade 1st-round picks for 6x All-Pro, pair Garrett with Parsons :: Cowboys Wire
This NFL.com mock has the Cowboys sending two first-rounders (this year’s and next year’s) to Cleveland for Myles Garrett, who has said he’d like to be traded. Yes, it’s giving up a lot. But the thought of pairing Garrett- an Arlington native- on the Dallas D-line as a bookend to Micah Parsons is too good to not at least daydream about for a bit.
Lunda Wells cites ‘profound love’ for Cowboys as key reason behind Dallas return :: Dallas Morning News
The tight ends coach had interest from other teams, but Wells chose to return to Dallas for a seventh season. “I think this is one of the few organizations that does it the right way,” Wells said. “A lot of people give this organization a lot of flak for not playing in that last game, but man, they do it the right way, inside and out. The Jones family did a phenomenal job of hiring Schotty, we got a familiar face and all that takes in consideration outside of my family life.”
Cowboys pass catcher went from Pro Bowl to worst season in history of his position :: Cowboys Wire
Jake Ferguson looked like he might be the answer at tight end in Dallas in 2023. But in 2024, he played like he didn’t even know what the question was. Football Outsiders measured Ferguson’s Defense-adjusted Yards Above Replacement at the lowest number ever recorded. But with no serious competition (currently) for the team’s TE1 job, there’s nowhere for Ferguson to go but back up. He’ll be an important piece of Schottenheimer’s offense.
Cowboys 9x All-Pro seen as ‘match that makes too much sense’ for Ravens in free agency :: Cowboys Wire
If Zack Martin wants to play in 2025 but the Cowboys prefer to move on, Baltimore may be a destination to watch. His veteran savvy would be a boon to their young O-line, and blocking for Derrick Henry could be a bright spot in Martin’s twilight years (even though it would be extra-painful for Cowboys fans, after the team failed to go after Henry last offseason). Plus, it would give Martin a legitimate shot with a real Super Bowl contender.
Cowboys projected as perfect fit for 4x Pro Bowl, All-Pro wide receiver in free agency :: Cowboys Wire
The Stefon Diggs hype train is leaving the station once again, with Dallas sounding like a possible destination for the umpteenth year in a row, it seems. But in 2025, it may actually work out. The Cowboys have a real need for a true WR2; Diggs may be more obtainable than ever due to him coming off injury. Teams could be cautious with him, but it’s the kind of bargain situation the Cowboys have traditionally loved. And for a chance at a prove-it year playing alongside his brother, Stefon may be ready to pull that trigger, too.
Here’s why Cowboys land at No. 18 in ESPN’s offseason power rankings :: Cowboys Wire
ESPN’s Todd Archer points out that “the disillusionment of Cowboys fans has never been higher,” and says something has to change for 2025 if Brian Schottenheimer is to have any success. “It’s time for Jerry and Stephen Jones to do more to support Schottenheimer,” he writes, “with a roster that can contend for a Super Bowl, which means using free agency more than they have even if it’s not via top-of-the-market signings.”
Struggling Cowboys 1st-round pick can’t be fixed by position switch :: Cowboys Wire
Tyler Guyton earned mixed reviews in his rookie season, but he did have to switch positions in training camp. Former Cowboys scout Bryan Broaddus thinks it’s not his physical skills that are holding Guyton back, it’s his maturity, heart, and focus. “It’s about being a better pro,” he said recently. That will help things like his many penalties and often-sloppy technique.
Report: Saints working on finalizing deal to make Doug Nussmeier the OC :: ProFootballTalk
Nussmeier followed Kellen Moore from Dallas to Los Angeles and then Philadelphia. Now he appears set to head to New Orleans to take on the Saints’ OC role. Nussmeier had been the Cowboys’ tight ends coach in 2018 and 2019, then moved to QB coach for three additional seasons before leaving with Moore for the Chargers. Nussmeier’s son is the quarterback at nearby LSU and an early Heisman favorite for 2025.
