The latest news surrounding the Dallas Cowboys.
Mailbag: Can Cowboys afford 2026 free agents? – Mickey Spagnola & Tommy Yarrish, DallasCowboys.com
The Cowboys will have some big bills due soon if they want to keep the band together.
People seem focused on re-signing Micah Parsons, but what about DaRon Bland, who will need a new deal in 2026, and possibly Tyler Smith? Both could command around $20 million annually. And now there’s George Pickens to worry about as well. You can’t keep everybody, so how do the Cowboys manage this? Who stays and who goes? – Brandon Gardner/Washington, D.C.
Mickey: Usually, these things sort out in order, or if and when a player wants to meet the Cowboys offering number. So right now, the order priority would be Parsons No. 1 since he is next in line for an extension which would lower his salary cap hit of $24 million for this season. And remember, if the Cowboys can’t come to an agreement with Parsons for this year, they could always franchise him for next year. And as for Tyler Smith, the Cowboys already picked up his fifth year-option worth $21.27 million guaranteed. And remember, from a team standpoint if extending a player before having to spend that money the team is expecting a discount, which player agents aren’t keen on. And if the Cowboys manage to get Parsons signed to an extension this year then they would have a franchise tag available next year for the likes of either Bland or Pickens. This ain’t easy.
Tommy: It’s a great question, and one that I think is going to be answered by how well each of them play in 2025. I feel pretty confident that Bland and Smith will likely both be retained, and my questions lie with TE Jake Ferguson and WR George Pickens. Ferguson, who had a down year in 2024, needs to show that he can bounce back in 2025 if he wants the long-term deal, and I think he can with Dak Prescott back. Then with Pickens, it really all does depend on how his 2025 season goes with Dallas. If he plays very well, of course the Cowboys will consider keeping him around, but could his price tag grow to be too high? If that’s the case, the Cowboys could find solace in free agency if he signs elsewhere by receiving a compensatory pick that may be a third rounder, which they gave up in the trade for Pickens, essentially cancelling things out. That said, you’re giving away what would’ve been a sure-thing in your offense for an unknown, which is the risk you take sometimes in the NFL. You’re right that you can’t keep everybody, but you’ve certainly got to try if they’re helping you win football games.
Dallas Cowboys UDFA surprisingly emerges as potential impact player – Randy Gurzi, Sports Illustrated
One Dallas newcomer is already showing off.
Making an impact as an undrafted free agent is never easy, but there always seems to be a little more hope that these players can catch on with the Dallas Cowboys. While every team has its share of star players who began their career undrafted, Dallas has had some of the best ever.
Names such as Drew Pearson, Cliff Harris, and Everson Walls all carved out excellent careers. None are more prominent, however, Tony Romo, who is the franchise’s current leader in passing yards.
That’s why it’s always interesting to keep an eye on UDFAs during training camp. With that around the corner, writers for DallasCowboys.com were asked for their top UDFA to watch. Two of those writers went with the same player, linebacker Justin Barron out of Syracuse.
Nick Eatman was the first to pick Barron, saying he could make an impact as a special teams player this year.
“When I was watching the first OTA practice with the rookies, No. 55 Justin Barron stood out the most to me. He looked just as quick and fluid as Shemar James in the drills I saw. Nothing against James, but Barron looks like he belongs as well. Has great size and seems like the kind of player that will immediately contribute on special teams and could be a backup linebacker as well.” — Eatman
The Cowboys All-Century offensive line is one of the best – Mario Herrera Jr., Inside The Star
Dallas sure does know how to draft offensive lineman.
As the bigger names of skill positions swept the spotlight in our previous All-quarter-century Cowboys round-up, it’s high time to give respectful airtime to the unsung heroes along the trenches.
Anchoring the offensive front on this dream squad are five of the best linemen to don a Cowboys jersey over the past quarter-century.
If they had played together (some of them did), they would have formed one of the most intimidating and dominant offensive lines in NFL history.
Left Tackle
Tyron Smith (2011-2023)
Drafted 9th overall in 2011, Tyron Smith blossomed into the anchor at blind‑side tackle.
With size, athleticism, and instinctive footwork, he staved off premier pass rushers year after year.
As the bigger names of skill positions swept the spotlight in our previous All-quarter-century Cowboys round-up, it’s high time to give respectful airtime to the unsung heroes along the trenches.
Anchoring the offensive front on this dream squad are five of the best linemen to don a Cowboys jersey over the past quarter-century.
If they had played together (some of them did), they would have formed one of the most intimidating and dominant offensive lines in NFL history.
Remember, this is my personal list. Would you have rather seen someone else on here? Feel free to let me know in the comments.
Dallas Cowboys 2025 roster bubble review: Linebacker – Jess Haynie, BloggingTheBoys.com
Here’s who may or may not make the cut in the second level of Dallas’ defense.
Whenever a team heads into training camp, some positions are more open than others. For the 2025 Dallas Cowboys, linebacker is one where it’s not hard to predict who will make the official roster. That isn’t to say there won’t be any competition, but does make for a relatively small and uneventful roster bubble.
This could change before we get to Oxnard, but right now Dallas has nine linebackers under contract. Of those nine, one will definitely not be participating in camp or even the first part of the schedule. DeMarvion Overshown’s major knee injury from December will keep him out until at least midway through 2025, if not the entire season. It’s a safe bet that he won’t count against the roster once we get into September, ending up on some kind of injury list. But whenever he’s healthy, Overshown is guaranteed to return to a prominent role.
A few other guys are also sure to be on the roster. Marist Liufau, a third-round pick last year, is looking to build on a solid rookie campaign. Free agent addition Jack Sanborn spent the last three years in Matt Eberflus’ defense with the Bears and is expected to be a field general as it gets installed in Dallas. Veteran Kenneth Murray Jr., traded for last March, is projected for significant snaps as well and wore the green dot in offseason activities.
Damone Clark
After starting all 17 games in 2023 due to injuries, the fourth-year prospect fell out of favor last year. He struggled in the transition to Mike Zimmer’s scheme and wound up far behind Overshown, Liufau, and Eric Kendricks in the rotation.
Darius Harris
At 29 years old, Harris is going to be up against it with several younger prospects to contend with. But after going undrafted in 2019, he stuck around for four years with the Chiefs as a reserve linebacker before joining Dallas in 2024. He may not have played a big part in any of Kansas City’s championship wins, but that experience and his longevity so far indicate perceived value. We’ll see if it’s enough to get him another year with the Cowboys.
