EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Not sure if you're one to believe in New Year's resolutions. They always sound good at the time, but let's also remember most people that blurt out the "changes" they want to see in the next year usually make them around 12:01 a.m., so who knows how overserved they might be.
My point is, changes have to be more than words, and they hardly ever occur right away.
Well, no exception here with the Cowboys defense. Whatever the defensive coaches and players might have said in an attempt to right the ship or at least end this dismal season on a positive note, it didn't materialize on Sunday in the season finale.
In fact, one might even argue this "2026" version of the Cowboys defense looked even worse than 2025. Didn't know that was even possible.
But other than Jadeveon Clowney, who had one of the best defensive performances we've seen in recent history, and that includes Micah Parsons' tenure, the Cowboys defense was once again an absolute mess.
It's one thing to let Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts, Justin Herbert, or even notable skill players such as Justin Jefferson and Saquon Barkley beat you up for four quarters. But when Jaxson Dart, who has won three games in his career, or players like Tyrone Tracy or (hold on, let me go look this guy up) Gunner Olszewski go off with career days, you just know it's bad.
And you know what's worse (and yes, it's possible)? The Cowboys didn't really sit their guys on defense. It's not like they pulled Quinnen Williams or Kenny Clark. Man, can you imagine if Clowney hadn't played? He was the only guy really causing havoc on defense.
Now, to be fair, the starting cornerbacks for the game were Trikwese Bridges and Caelen Carson in a year when it was supposed to be Trevon Diggs, DaRon Bland and Shavon Revel coming in midway through the season. And while all of them played, none of them finished on the active roster, with Diggs now in Green Bay. Needless to say, the cornerback situation has to be upgraded, but it's not alone.
We'll see what happens with Clark, but I feel like he's going to be back, maybe with a restructured deal. He's the kind of guy you need in the locker room. But I would imagine defensive tackle is in good shape for next year. Other than that …. anything else?
This team needs a pass-rusher in the worst way. It's almost like they had one of the best in the league and traded him. But enough of that. Parsons made his bed – which also resembled a training table on the sideline – and he slept in it (literally). So the Cowboys had to move on, and they did. But let's not for a second think they didn't miss him. Clowney had a monster game on Sunday to finish with 8.5 sacks to lead the team. It's still the lowest sack total by a Cowboys leader since 2020, when DeMarcus Lawrence had 6.5.
Need pass-rush help in a major way. Obviously, the Cowboys have to get some linebackers who can cover and hit and read the defense and get off blocks and … everything else you have to do to be an NFL linebacker. Corners and safeties are a must, too. Sure, the Cowboys have two first-round picks, but as it stands right now, they only have two picks in the first three rounds total.
So it can't be the draft only. If the Cowboys want to take advantage of this elite offense with a Pro Bowl quarterback who just had one of the best seasons of his career, then no longer can they simply draft good players and develop them. Free agency has to be in play here, especially when your defensive needs far outweigh the draft resources.
And as great as the offense was this year, it's not untouchable for the draft either, especially if a capable offensive tackle is in play. But that's for another day and another column.
To say the defense wasn't good enough this season is just being nice. I think we all know there will be changes on the staff and, of course, with the personnel. Just about everything about the 2025 defense needs to be overhauled.
And while you're at it, go ahead and erase these few days of 2026, too.
