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Jerry Jones, longtime owner and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys, has spoken out about the defensive issues that plagued the team last season.
The Cowboys finished 2025 ranked 30th in total defense, allowing 59 touchdowns. The Cincinnati Bengals were the only other NFL team to allow more opposing teams to cross the goal line last season.
Jones highlighted the additions the Cowboys front office has overseen so far this offseason to help fill defensive holes, leaving him optimistic heading into next month’s NFL Draft.
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Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones before a game against the Minnesota Vikings at AT&T Stadium on December 14, 2025. (Kevin Jairaj/Imagn Images)
“What we did on defense, plus what we put together for the draft, plus what we have back from our veteran defensive players who didn’t really play much last year — injury issues, things like that — gives us a lot of promise,” Jones said.
JERRY JONES OPENS UP ON COWBOYS’ FAULTS IN 2025 SEASON
Some of the recent additions to Dallas’ defense include acquiring pass rusher Rashan Gary in a trade and signing defensive end Otito Ogbonnia and safeties PJ Locke and Jalen Thompson. Former Los Angeles Rams cornerback Cobie Durant was also added to bolster the Cowboys secondary.
Outside linebacker Tyrus Wheat also signed for a second stint with Dallas.
The Cowboys missed the playoffs last season under first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer, finishing with a 7-9-1 record.
Sam Williams (54) of the Dallas Cowboys lines up before a game against the New York Giants at AT&T Field on September 14, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Dallas’ defense showed flashes of promise during the 2025 season, especially after being gutted by the trade of star passer Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers just a week before the regular season opened.
Jones acknowledged defensive deficiencies last season, arguing that the unit’s shortcomings ultimately derailed the team’s playoff hopes.
Marist Liufau (35) of the Dallas Cowboys reacts in the fourth quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 17, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Brooke Sutton/Getty Images)
“When you have the challenges that we had last year, there’s no place to go but on the defensive side of the ball. If we had played some defense last year, we would have had, I think, a real playoff run,” Jones said.
Dallas notched notable wins over the Kansas City Chiefs and NFC East rivals the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants, as well as a tie against the Packers. Quarterback Dak Prescott started all 17 games in 2025 after missing more than half of the 2024 season due to injury.
