Defense Wins Championships: Can the Dallas Cowboys Finally Turn That Motto into a Ring?

 

Photo Courtesy of James D. Smith / Dallas Cowboys

By Nate McCray

As the Dallas Cowboys dive into the 2025 offseason program, a narrative of renewed strength and strategic recalibration takes center stage. With fresh draft talent, veteran acquisitions, and lingering player injury concerns, the Cowboys have crafted one of the NFL’s most intriguing storylines heading into the new season.

Quarterback Dak Prescott enters the 2025 offseason fully healthy, a welcome development after a hamstring injury disrupted his 2024 campaign. At full participation in OTAs, Prescott has already begun syncing with an upgraded receiving corps, including the headline addition of George Pickens. The former Steelers receiver joins CeeDee Lamb to form a potentially explosive tandem—a move Prescott hailed as adding “juice” to Dallas’ deep threat game.

On the ground, the running back room is a crucible of competition. Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders return as seasoned veterans, but fifth-round rookie Jaydon Blue is already making waves in minicamp. The battle for touches promises to be intense, and consistency in this group may determine Dallas’ offensive ceiling.

In the trenches, 2025 NFL Draft 12th overall pick Tyler Booker out of the University of Alabama, was drafted to bring long-term stability and power to the interior line. He’s expected to start next to Tyler Smith, while veteran Zack Martin remains a rock at right guard. However, the depth behind the starters is a known vulnerability—the Cowboys recently waived multiple backups, exposing potential fragility if injuries strike again.  If the Cowboys can’t produce a running game this season, then expect to see a low performing or mediocre offense.

The 2025 optimism follows a sobering 2024 season that saw the Cowboys finish with a 7–10 record, placing third in the NFC East and missing the playoffs entirely. The team ranked 11th in the NFC by DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average), reflecting a performance that fell short of expectations on both sides of the ball.  DVOA essentially breaks down every play to see how much success a team achieves in each situation compared to the league average.  The situations could be down, distance, field position, score gap, and opponent strengths.

Statistically, Dallas was an enigma. The offense finished with a respectable 5,813 total yards—17th in the league—including a solid 4.0 yards per carry on the ground and 3,862 passing yards at 6.4 yards per attempt. However, the team only managed 350 total points (20.6 ppg), which ranked 21st in the NFL, highlighting red zone inefficiencies and inconsistent scoring drives. 

Defensively, the Cowboys struggled mightily. They allowed 468 total points—27.5 per game—the worst in the NFC East and among the league’s bottom tier. Against the run, Dallas was particularly vulnerable, ranking near the bottom league-wide in both yards per carry allowed and opponent rushing percentage. The defense finished 30th in rush YPC allowed and 22nd in the opposing rush percentage, contributing to their collapse in multiple late-game situations.

Defensive coordinator duties transition under a new regime when the Cowboys hired former Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus in January, but Micah Parsons remains the soul of the Cowboys defense—even if only intermittently present during OTAs. The superstar edge rusher is negotiating what could be a record-breaking $200 million deal. His level of participation, while within reason for a contract-year star, leaves open concerns about full-season cohesion.  Every rep missed can be costly.

The Cowboys invested heavily in reinforcements, selecting former Boston College EDGE rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku and former East Carolina University CB Shavon Revel Jr. in the second and third rounds, respectively. They also added veteran Dante Fowler (formerly with the Washington Commanders), providing depth and experience alongside Parsons.

At linebacker, Kenneth Murray Jr. joins from the Tennessee Titans and is expected to be a stabilizing presence. However, the unit suffered a major blow with DeMarvion Overshown sidelined for most—if not all—of the season due to catastrophic knee injuries. Backup depth now falls on rookies and journeymen like Shemar James, Buddy Johnson, and the oft-injured Markquese Bell.

In the secondary, Trevon Diggs is progressing in his rehab from ACL surgery, but his Week 1 status remains unclear. The Cowboys are optimistic, citing strong lateral movement in recent drills, but game readiness is still a question. Rookie Shavon Revel Jr. could be pressed into action early if Diggs isn’t fully back.

If there’s a rock in the Cowboys’ special team’s unit, it’s kicker Brandon Aubrey. Fresh off an All-Pro caliber season, Aubrey returns on a team-friendly deal. Meanwhile, Dallas shook the return game market by making KaVontae Turpin the highest-paid return specialist in league history with a 3-year, $18 million contract.  Turpin was the only NFL player to have both a kickoff and punt return for a touchdown during the 2024 season.

However, the punter and long snapper positions are less secure. Bryan Anger and Trent Sieg are both on expiring contracts, and no extensions have been announced. With Nick Sorensen replacing long-tenured John Fassel as special teams coordinator, the unit enters a transitional phase that bears close monitoring.

Dallas’ front office earned top marks for its 2025 NFL Draft, widely regarded as an A+ effort. Beyond Booker, Ezeiruaku, and Revel, the Cowboys added Jaydon Blue and Shemar James—both expected to contribute immediately on offense and special teams, respectively. These additions signal a strong push to plug depth gaps and prepare for injury contingencies.

The trade for George Pickens not only diversified the WR room but also clarified the Cowboys’ offensive identity. Fast, vertical, and aggressive. Similarly, the signings of Dante Fowler and Kenneth Murray Jr. underscore a commitment to veteran experience on defense.

On paper, the Cowboys have built a contender. Strong quarterback play, top tier pass rush potential, and explosive special teams’ assets form a high ceiling. But as has been the case in past seasons, execution and health will dictate whether Dallas breaks through or stumbles.  If the stars align—literally and figuratively—Dallas could make a deep postseason run. But if injuries mount and unresolved contracts fester, the promise of this roster may once again be eclipsed by unmet expectations.

Stay tuned as training camp nears. For now, the story of the 2025 Cowboys is one of calculated ambition, grounded in the lessons of a turbulent 2024.