Mailbag: Are defensive substitutions a problem?

(Editor's Note: Time to check the mail! The DallasCowboys.com staff writers answer your questions here in 'Mailbag' presented by Miller Lite.)

The biggest problem, I feel, is defensive substitutions, meaning players come in only for certain situations. How can a defensive scheme be implemented if there are 20-25 different players participating? How do you keep communication, availability and knowledge a constant? I realize the value of rotating for freshness or subbing for injury, but how does consistency happen when players only play 20-25% of the snaps? – David Farina/Trenton, NJ

Kurt: We hear on a regular basis how the offensive line needs to play together in order to build communication, and if you ask any running back, he'll tell you he's got to have consistent reps to get into the flow of the game. So it only makes sense that, although perhaps to a lesser degree, the same can be said for the defense.

And as we saw last year, that was indeed a problem for the Cowboys. Consider that only three players in the team's secondary played at least 50 percent of the snaps in 2025, Donovan Wilson (83.2), DaRon Bland (67.4) and Malik Hooker (53.7), and even they all missed games due to injury. And just one linebacker, Kenneth Murray, played more than half the snaps (78.9) on the way to Dallas finishing last in the league in points allowed (30.1).

Conversely, Seattle's defense, which led the NFL in average points given up (16.6), had six defensive backs see at least 60 percent of the Seahawks' snaps with five linebackers getting in on 50 percent of the plays. They also had 17 defensemen overall play at least 20 percent of their snaps while the Cowboys had a whopping 24 top 20 percent, if you count DeMarvion Overshown coming in at 19.7.

That kind of turnover makes finding any kind of cohesion so much tougher. There's just no denying that injuries, general poor play and, in turn, a lack of significant depth were key factors in the unit's struggles with communication.

So yes, a new defensive coordinator was needed to straighten out some of this mess, but if they run into the same injuries and even talent evaluation next season, the Cowboys defense could be in for another tough campaign.

Nick: First of all, I think we can throw consistency out the window when talking about the defense. Nothing consistent about this season, the previous one or the one before that. When you think about the Cowboys are about to hire their fourth defensive coordinator in four years, that pretty much wipes out any chance of real consistency.

Sure, you're talking about as the season goes on and wondering if there should be that many mistakes, especially with guys not sure what to do. And the answer is no - that shouldn't be happening. And that was one of the biggest problems for the Cowboys defense in 2025 - regular mistakes and confusion especially in the secondary. That's going to happen when you play a lot of young players, have a lot of injuries and the Cowboys had both. But it can't just end right there. This team had systematic failures on defense all year long and that has to fall on the coordinator and coaching staff, which it did.

But in terms of substitutions, I think the Cowboys were always looking for the right combination, just hoping to find the best players on the field. Sure, you like to rotate on defense, especially on the line, but there can't be a major drop-off. That was always he problem with having guys like DeMarcus Ware and Micah Parsons - sure they needed a break, but when is the right time to have your best pass-rusher off the field. Well, the Cowboys didn't have those problems this year. The starters and backups weren't that different and that was a reason for the lack of sacks and pressures. Overall, the substations were a lack of communication, which stems from the leadership, both from the players and coaches. All of it needs to be changed and it sounds like the Cowboys are working towards doing that.