Areas of the Cowboys Defense That Need Improvement in 2026
In 2025, the Dallas Cowboys' offense and defense each had their own unique narrative. Dallas had one of the NFL's best offenses led by quarterback Dak Prescott, ranking at the top of almost every statistical category. Conversely, the defense ranked among the lowest in the NFL, being at the bottom of several defensive categories. Dallas would hire new defensive coordinator Christian Parker, sign new pieces who fit his scheme, and focus their 2026 draft class on the defensive side of the ball to be competent next to one of the league's best offenses. With all the additions to the defense, what are some of the most important areas to improve for the Cowboys heading into next season?
Takeaways
During their time under former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, the Cowboys emphasized their ability to create turnovers. However, for the past two seasons under Mike Zimmer and Matt Eberflus, takeaways have been at a low for Dallas. Last season, the Cowboys recorded only 12 takeaways, which ranked 30th in the NFL, averaging only 0.7 per game. What was once a strong suit for the Cowboys for so many years under Quinn has become a struggle. The importance of these takeaways entering the 2026 season is to be able to help give the ball back to the offense and allow them to have as many chances as possible to score. Parker has already noted the importance of being able to take the ball away and give an elite offense as many scoring chances as possible, so being able to improve from the 30th-worst team is a major focus of improvement.
Sacks
Similar to takeaways, the Cowboys used to excel at getting to the quarterback, but last season, they struggled. In 2025, Dallas was ranked in the bottom half of the NFL for sacks, ranking 22nd with 35. Considering Dallas was entering their first season without All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons, who was traded to the Green Bay Packers, it was reasonable to expect a drop in performance and numbers along the defensive line. In contrast, though, teams often threw the ball at Dallas due to their poor secondary, and despite playing against more passing downs, Dallas still failed to convert those opportunities into sacks. With Dallas improving the back end of the defense and spending a late first-round pick this year on a defensive end, being able to get to the quarterback should be a lot easier for the Cowboys in 2026. They likely will not have a single player with exceptionally high sack totals; however, having several players on the roster who can each contribute four to six sacks will not only improve their chances of creating more turnovers but will also provide extra support for the secondary in the passing game that struggled heavily a year ago.
