With the 2026 NFL offseason officially underway, rumors have begun swirling around some of the league’s biggest stars. Big names like wide receiver George Pickens, edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, and cornerback Tariq Woolen are set to hit free agency in March.
While the Dallas Cowboys have been known to focus on drafting and retaining talent in recent years, as opposed to bringing in big names in free agency, that may be about to change.
Taking a look at the current cap numbers, the Dallas Cowboys currently have -$30 million in cap space heading into 2026. This may seem like a death sentence for Dallas, but with simple restructures, the Cowboys can create roughly $131 million.
Not only would these restructures make up for their current cap deficit, but also they would give the team the most unallocated cap space in the NFL.
Along with retaining key pieces like running back Javonte Williams and George Pickens, Dallas would still have enough space to add playmakers to their defense.
If the Cowboys brought in key playmakers like Cincinnati’s Trey Hendrickson and Seattle’s Tariq Woolen, alongside two selections in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, Dallas’s defense could take a massive step forwards in 2026.
With an already dominant offense, which averaged 30 points a game in 2025, and a significantly improved defense, Dallas would become a force to be reckoned with, alongside new defensive play caller Christian Parker, who was brought in from the rival Philadelphia Eagles in January.
It remains to be seen whether owner/GM Jerry Jones will finally follow through on his promise to go “all in” for another Super Bowl.
