Similar to last season, the Dallas Cowboys have yet another star player with one year left of team control, both with the same agent. They have a new defensive coordinator installing a defensive scheme; and they head into the season with major questions on the defensive side of the football. Even though the situation this season is very reminiscent of the 2025 concerns about Dallas this time last season, the optimism in the media and from fans is very different.
The Cowboys hosted rookie minicamp this weekend, and the vibe around the team is far more positive when compared to this time last season.
That optimism has this team buzzing with renewed energy, a feeling Cowboys fans and players haven’t felt in some time. But what’s different? They still have owner Jerry Jones and COO Stephen Jones pulling the strings, spouting the same old talking points, and igniting contract-negotiation drama. Well, there are a few things the Cowboys have done that have everyone looking at this team in a different light.
One of the biggest reasons for the change in Dallas has a lot to do with how they hired defensive coordinator Christian Parker. Normally, the Cowboys’ coaching searches have them bringing in a coach with whom they have a past relationship or a well-traveled former head coach.
Not this time.
Jerry and Stephen Jones have placed faith in head coach Brian Schottenheimer to build his defensive staff after seeing the success he had hiring his offensive staff last season. The Joneses’ familiar hiring practice landed them defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, who gave them one of the worst defenses in team and league history.
Simply giving Schottenheimer complete control of his coaching staff gave them a defensive coordinator in Parker, who is viewed as a young, highly intelligent coach on the rise. Parker’s exotic defense schemes, methodical approach, and ability to bring out the best in his players have some saying he’s a future NFL head coach. Adding Parker’s exotic defense and drafting first-round picks Caleb Downs and Malachi Lawrence have changed the entire outlook.
The defense in general is another topic with major questions as OTAs begin, the same questions the media and fans had in 2025. Under Eberflus, questions about the Cowboys’ ability to generate a pass rush, linebacker efficiency, and secondary concerns were never answered. They’re still unanswered under Parker; the difference this season is that Parker’s understanding of what he needs is clear.
Eberflus took what he had and thought he could improve on defense. Parker took what he had and told the Cowboys’ front office he needed more, and got what he wanted. He needed high-IQ safeties; he got Jalen Thompson in free agency and drafted Downs. He needed athletic and productive pass rushers; he got Malachi Lawrence and traded for Rashan Gary. These player additions have energized the fan base and outlook on the defense this season. Parker’s ability to convey his needs and his aggressive push has lessened concerns about the defense and given a glimmer of hope that things are turning around.
The biggest topic of conversation this offseason hasn’t been the defense though. It’s the negotiations with receiver George Pickens, who’s on the franchise tag. Pickens has same agent as last year’s center of ordeal Micah Parsons in David Mulugheta, and Pickens also wants top-of-the-market money. It’s funny how the Cowboys find themselves in this situation seemingly every year, but that’s where the similarities end.
With Parsons, Dallas was a victim of Jerry Jones’ ego and stubbornness to pick up the phone, and Mulugheta’s aggressive negotiating style along with Parsons’ media-savvy counterpunching. The Pickens situation is different, where Parsons had a positive public image; Pickens’ checkered past from his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers has hurt him and neutralized Mulugheta’s negotiating power.
Despite an All-Pro season, Pickens’ past has teams hesitant to pay the receiver along with draft compensation to get him from Dallas. This has left Pickens no choice but to play out the season on the tag, or risk cementing his reputation as difficult to work with.
Dallas is normally on the losing end of deals with players they’ve tagged, but holds all the cards this time.
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Optimism rising as Cowboys energy feels different in 2026
Reporting by Terence Watson , Cowboys Wire / Cowboys Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
