Big changes are brewing in the NFL, and the Dallas Cowboys are right in the middle of the action. Former Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence needed just two words to convince his old teammate, Dante Fowler, to reunite with him in Seattle. The dynamic pass-rushing duo will have a chance to face their former team this season—though the exact date won't be known until the NFL officially releases the 2026 schedule later this week.
Speaking of schedules, the Cowboys have a special date circled: Thanksgiving. Dallas is aiming for their fifth consecutive win on Turkey Day, a streak that has become a proud tradition in Big D. But if they want to keep that streak alive—and build a successful 2026 campaign—the defense needs to step up. That's where third-round rookie Jaishawn Barham comes in. The young linebacker could be the key to turning around a porous unit that struggled last season.
Despite a flurry of defensive moves this offseason, a recent report card gave Dallas the lowest grade among their NFC East rivals. That's a tough pill to swallow, especially since a Cowboys insider claims the defensive makeover is now complete. On the other side of the ball, the offense has gotten surprisingly little attention, raising questions about depth at the skill positions. A recent 53-man roster projection highlights those concerns, though there's a bright spot: guard Tyler Booker is being tipped for a breakout season.
The Cowboys aren't the only ones making headlines. Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts earned high praise from none other than Cowboys Hall-of-Famer Troy Aikman—a reminder that even rivals can respect greatness. Meanwhile, the NFL is already leaking key matchups. Week 1 will feature a heavyweight AFC clash as the Broncos travel to Kansas City for Monday Night Football. Later, playoff hopefuls Cincinnati and Atlanta will face off in Madrid, Spain, as the league continues its global expansion. And as teams get creative with schedule reveals, the NFL has confirmed it won't require pre-approval for club-produced videos—so expect some fun surprises.
For Cowboys fans, the road ahead is filled with questions, but also plenty of reasons to stay hopeful. Whether it's a reunited pass rush in Seattle or a rookie looking to make his mark, the 2026 season is shaping up to be one to watch.