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Outspoken longtime Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones weighed in on the defensive issues that plagued the team last season.
In 2025, the Cowboys finished 30th in total defense and gave up 59 touchdowns. The Cincinnati Bengals were the only other NFL team to allow multiple opposing teams to cross the goal line last season.
Jones highlighted the additions the Cowboys front office has overseen so far in the offseason to help address the defensive deficiencies, leaving him optimistic heading into next month’s NFL Draft.
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Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones before a game against the Minnesota Vikings at AT&T Stadium on Dec. 14, 2025. (Kevin Jairaj/Imagn Images)
“What we’ve done on defense, plus what we’ve set up for the draft, plus what we’ve gotten back from our veteran linebackers who really didn’t play that much last year — injury issues, things like that — gives us a lot of promise,” Jones said.
JERRY JONES OPENS UP ON COWBOYS’ MISSING IN 2025 SEASON
Some of the recent additions to Dallas’ defense include the acquisition of pass rusher Rashan Gary in a trade and the signing of defensive end Otito Ogbonnia and safeties PJ Locke and Jalen Thompson. Former Los Angeles Rams cornerback Cobie Durant was also added to bolster the Cowboys’ secondary.
Outside linebacker Tyrus Wheat also signed a second stint with Dallas.
The Cowboys missed the playoffs last season under first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer, finishing with a 7–9–1 record.
Sam Williams (54) of the Dallas Cowboys lines up before a snap against the New York Giants at AT&T Field on September 14, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
The Dallas defense showed flashes of promise during the 2025 season, especially after it was destroyed by the trade of star pass rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers just one week before the regular season opener.
Jones acknowledged the defensive shortcomings last season and argued that the unit’s shortcomings ultimately derailed the team’s playoff hopes.
Marist Liufau (35) of the Dallas Cowboys reacts during the fourth quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium Nov. 17, 2025 in Las Vegas. (Brooke Sutton/Getty Images)
“When you have the challenges we had last year, there’s no place to go but up on the defensive side of the ball. Had we played a smidgen of defense last year, we would have had ourselves, I think, a real playoff run,” Jones said.
Dallas posted notable wins over the Kansas City Chiefs and NFC East rivals the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants along with a tie against the Packers. Quarterback Dak Prescott started all 17 games in 2025 after missing more than half of the 2024 season due to injury.
