Mailbag: New DC still needs more talent?

The Cowboys didn't spend $20 million of their salary cap last season and are rolling it into 2026. Sure, it will help now, but why didn't they spend that money last year to improve the team? That seems like money wasted or a missed opportunity.

Hasn't the achievement of making the Pro Bowl been cheapened? Shouldn't how many Pro Bowls a player has been named to be eliminated from contract talks or used to enhance their argument for enshrinement in the Hall of Fame? Agree, or am I missing something?

We now have two teams in the Super Bowl who won a Lombardi Trophy, rebuilt and are now on the doorstep of winning another despite having a different coach and quarterback. We saw the Eagles do the same thing recently as well. What, if anything, are these teams doing differently than the Cowboys? Drafting better? Spending more in free agency? 

Without a great WR2, Seattle's combo was successful enough to have one of the best offenses in the NFL and reach the NFC Championship Game. Don't you think the Cowboys could be in the same situation without spending big on George Pickens and use that money instead to improve the defense? 

With Christian Parker now on board, will that potentially change what attributes the Cowboys look for in the draft or maybe change who they draft when? A lot of early mocks have linebackers or edge rushers at No. 12, but with Parker being a secondary coach, do they maybe prioritize cornerback? 

Do you believe that a rapid improvement of defensive and overall team performance is possible? Do you think our offensive prowess gives Brian Schottenheimer enough of a head start to join quick-turnaround clubs like New England and Chicago?

How big is it that the Cowboys hired a defensive coordinator who comes from a division rival and knows the other two teams in the NFC East well? Also, does he supply inside info the Eagles had on the Cowboys' tendencies?

Why did the Cowboys struggle so much in zone coverage? Is it a matter of recognition, keys and quick mental adjustments? Is it tough to know what to do when you drop into zone and you have receivers coming and going every which way? In man-to-man coverage, you just stick to your man as best you can. It may be more difficult physically, but mentally can you play faster? 

What will the new defensive coordinator bring to the Cowboys defense? Can we expect something similar to what the Eagles ran the past two seasons? Or will Christian Parker mold this into his own defense? 

I keep hearing the teams who made the playoffs are more physical and more disciplined than the Cowboys. And stats like ranking among the worst in the league in penalties and missed tackles seem to support that. But can physicality and discipline be coached? Seems to me you either have that mindset, or you don't. Which means, do the Cowboys need to take a hard look at the players they have on their roster?

Is the new defensive coordinator going to have a new defensive line coach and other coaches on that side of the ball? Or is it just going to be all the same coaches who were here? Do you think it's best to keep the assistants in order to maintain some consistency, or start fresh with new voices after such a tough season?