In 2025, the Dallas Cowboys made a move in free agency and swung for the fences with two trades to shore up their linebacker room. They couldn't have gotten it any more wrong if they tried. Jack Sanborn was brought in from Chicago along with former Bears head coach Matt Eberflus. Both linebacker and defensive coordinator flopped badly. The Cowboys traded with the Los Angeles Chargers for linebacker Kenneth Murray.
Kamara production didn't come out of nowhere one season. He has been consistent at both of the stops in his college football career. As a redshirt sophomore at James Madison in 2023, he put together a season where he had 53 total tackles, 18.5 tackles for a loss, and 7.5 sacks, while forcing four fumbles along the way. He was a defender living in the backfield. After that season, he followed head coach Curt Cignetti to Indiana through the transfer portal. Even then, nobody was rushing to get him. He entered the portal ranked 997th and 99th among defensive lineman.
Entering the offseason, the Dallas Cowboys have a lot of holes to address. While the defense stood out as the team's most glaring concern, the offense still has some under-the-radar areas to supplement. After some blockbuster trades this past season, the Cowboys have six draft picks currently, and possibly some compensatory picks. That said, Dallas will have limited ammunition to fill needs. Looking at where the Cowboys stand, here are the five most important positions for Dallas to set their sights on.
They are worth an absurd amount of money. We can save discussions for how the Cowboys can still afford (no pun intended) to be more active in free agency for another day, but on this one we are talking about how they currently have an opportunity to weaponize their value, both their financial one and the subsequent opportunities that are born from being associated with them.
The Cowboys traded for Pickens and the trade paid off. Pickens led the team in receptions (93), yards (1,429), and touchdowns (9). Lamb still had a 1,000 yard season despite missing three games. The surprise of the season might be the emergence of Ryan Flournoy, who blossomed when Lamb was out. Assuming the Cowboys either sign Pickens or franchise tag him, the Cowboys will have a dynamic group of receivers for Dak Prescott to throw to.
The Jets' defensive coordinator search has flown under the radar during a frenzied HC carousel, but it has taken shape Friday. The team announced eight candidates for the job. In addition to interim DC Chris Harris, seven others received interviews. Don Martindale (Michigan), Jim Leonhard (Broncos), Ephraim Banda (Browns), Jim O'Neil (Lions), DeMarcus Covington (Packers), Daronte Jones (Vikings) and Mathieu Araujo (Dolphins) interviewed for the position.
The NFL coaching carousel is in full swing, and for the Dallas Cowboys that means an ongoing search for their newest defensive coordinator. Other teams within the NFC East are actively looking for new coordinators as well, but only the New York Giants were in on the head coaching hiring cycle, landing what many considered the biggest fish on the market in John Harbaugh.
The AFC North is notorious for its high level of competition. Until this year, which saw both the Browns and Bengals fall victim to losing seasons, the division had a three-year streak with three out of four teams having a winning record. Joe Burrow's arrival in Cincinnati, Lamar Jackson's dominance in Baltimore, and Mike Tomlin's consistency in Pittsburgh have given the AFC North one heck of a run in the 2020s.
Jacas is not perfect, but I can already see how he would be used on Sundays. He isn't showing up on a lot of highlight reels, he's not a guy people argue about on draft night. But, when you actually watch him play, you start to understand why he keeps winning snaps. Jacas plays strong, stays disciplined, and finishes more reps than he loses.
In July last year, Sportsbetting.ag published the odds on which NFL head coach would be fired first in 2025. That dubious distinction ended up going to Brian Callahan in Tennessee who took the honors in 2025. At the time the odds were published, Brian Daboll of the Giants was listed as the most likely head coach to be fired first, but ended up being second. His firing may end up biting the Giants twice every year as he's interviewing for the Eagles OC position.
Let's be honest, Watt isn't just another good pass rusher. He's a Defensive Player of the Year, sack leader, and turnover creator. Watt is the type of defender offenses have to scheme around every single game, and yes, he is the same player the Cowboys passed on for Taco Charlton. We know how that turned out and the miss still stings.
I just met with Flus early this morning. Incredible human being. I love the man, but at the end of the day, the football wasn't right. I've been in this position, I've been Flus. I've been the guys in this room. I understand the questions. I understand the concerns, and I will answer all of those. Right now the focus has to be, number-one, the man.
