Trending Now - Dak Prescott Optimistic About Adding Veteran Talent to Cowboys

WHO:

Dak Prescott, quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys

Jerry Jones, owner and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys

Brian Schottenheimer, Cowboys' coach in his second year

Nakobe Dean, potential target for the Cowboys

Christian Parker, new defensive coordinator of the Cowboys

CeeDee Lamb, wide receiver for the Cowboys

Tyler Smith, offensive lineman for the Cowboys

Quinnen Williams, defensive tackle

Osa Odighizuwa, defensive tackle

Kenny Clark, defensive tackle

WHAT:

Prescott expressed excitement about adding veteran defenders to improve the Cowboys' defense, which set a team record for most points allowed in a season.

Jerry Jones stated he is ready to "bust the budget" and be "aggressive" in free agency.

The Cowboys are expected to pursue linebackers in free agency and are restructuring contracts for Prescott, Smith, and Lamb to create salary cap space.

The Cowboys are working on freeing more cap space in their defensive tackle room, which currently has a combined cap hit of $64 million in 2026.

The Cowboys can officially begin signing free agents on March 11, 2026, at 3 p.m. ET, with a legal tampering period starting on March 9, 2026.

WHERE:

Indianapolis, Indiana (location of the NFL Scouting Combine)

Dallas, Texas (home of the Dallas Cowboys)

WHEN:

March 5, 2026 (date of the articles)

March 9, 2026 (start of the legal tampering period)

March 11, 2026 (start of the new league year)

Last year refers to 2025

WHY:

Jerry Jones emphasized the need for immediate impact players, stating, "We can't have any redshirts," indicating a desire to avoid drafting players who are not ready to play immediately.

Prescott noted that this is the year for the Cowboys to make a "big jump" and that acquiring "big-time players who can help immediately" is essential.

HOW:

The Cowboys are restructuring contracts to create salary cap space.

Jones indicated a willingness to "borrow some of my future" to enhance the team's competitiveness in the present.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is eager to enhance the team's defense after they set a record for the most points allowed in a season, and owner Jerry Jones is ready to "bust the budget" to make aggressive moves in free agency. The Cowboys are restructuring contracts for Prescott, offensive lineman Tyler Smith, and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb to create salary cap space, as they prepare to pursue impactful players like linebacker Nakobe Dean and bolster their defensive tackle room. With the legal tampering period starting on March 9 and the new league year kicking off on March 11, the Cowboys are focused on making immediate improvements for the upcoming season.