Frisco, TX — The Dallas Cowboys’ offseason began with tough choices and a clear vision. Coming off an 11-6 campaign that ended in the Divisional Round, Head Coach Cody Hirsch and the front office were faced with balancing star power, salary cap realities, and long-term stability.
The result? A strategic recalibration that keeps Dallas’s offensive core intact while setting the stage for a major draft push in the trenches.
The Cowboys have re-signed wide receiver George Pickens to a multi-year deal that solidifies their offensive nucleus — but to make it happen, they’ve allowed defensive tackle Kenny Clark and right tackle Terrance Steele to test free agency.
It’s a pivotal, transitional moment in the Hirsch era — a reminder that championship windows are sustained not by comfort, but by courage.
The Statement Move: George Pickens Gets His Payday
For Coach Hirsch, this offseason began with one absolute: George Pickens wasn’t going anywhere.
Since arriving in Dallas, Pickens has blossomed into a premier playmaker, forming a thunderous tandem with CeeDee Lamb and serving as the deep-threat engine of Joe Milton’s passing attack. His physicality, catch radius, and fearless mentality have given the Cowboys an identity on the perimeter — and the locker room has taken notice.
“George sets a tone,” Hirsch said at the press conference announcing the deal. “He competes every snap. He plays angry, he plays proud, and he plays for the guy next to him. That’s the kind of Cowboy we want.”
The numbers back it up. Pickens finished top-10 in the PML in receiving yards and touchdowns last season, including five 100-yard performances and two game-winning grabs. He’s become the emotional spark for an offense built on controlled chaos — Milton’s arm, Lamb’s precision, Blue’s versatility, and Pickens’ unmatched intensity.
Locking him in long-term wasn’t just about production. It was about preserving the heartbeat of the Dallas offense.
Hard Goodbyes: Kenny Clark and Terrance Steele Depart
But in the salary-cap era, every extension comes with a cost. To create the room necessary for Pickens’ deal — and maintain flexibility for future extensions for Jaydon Blue and Shemar James — Dallas made the difficult call to move on from two veterans: defensive tackle Kenny Clark and right tackle Terrance Steele.
Clark’s tenure in Dallas, though brief, left a strong impression. He was the steady, veteran presence at the heart of the defense — a gap-eater, communicator, and mentor for younger linemen like Donovan Ezeiruaku and Marshawn Kneeland. But with age, salary, and a philosophical shift toward youth, the Cowboys are ready to retool.
“Kenny was a pro’s pro,” Hirsch said. “He helped shape that room. But our young guys are ready, and this draft gives us a chance to build something special for the future.”
Steele’s exit comes with similar sentiment. A former undrafted success story, Steele provided toughness and reliability, but his pass-blocking inconsistency in big moments left the front office hesitant to commit long-term money. Dallas believes the right tackle position is better addressed through the draft — with cheaper, fresher legs ready to protect Milton for the next decade.
The Draft Blueprint: Build the Trenches Back Better
If last season was about proving Dallas belonged in the playoff picture, this offseason is about building a sustainable contender.
Armed with two first-round picks, the Cowboys’ mission is clear: replenish the trenches. Hirsch’s staff has spent months evaluating linemen capable of stepping into critical roles on both sides of the ball.
Offensive Line Targets
- Kaydn Proctor (Alabama): A dominant force in the run game with the size and temperament to anchor the right side immediately. Hirsch loves his finishing ability — “he plays with that old-school Dallas mean streak,” one scout said.
- Trevor Goosby (Texas): Local, athletic, and intelligent. Goosby’s footwork and technique make him a fit for Dallas’s blend of inside-zone and power concepts. His versatility could even allow him to slide inside if needed.
Defensive Line Targets
- Peter Woods (Clemson): Only a sophomore but plays like a five-year veteran. Explosive off the snap, violent with his hands, and relentless in pursuit. Hirsch sees Woods as a potential every-down linchpin in evolving front.
- Dontay Corleone (Cincinnati): Nicknamed “The Godfather,” Corleone is one of college football’s most feared interior defenders. He’s a natural fit for the Cowboys’ hybrid 4-3 scheme — a low-centered, gap-stopping powerhouse who demands double-teams and still finds the ball.
Dallas views both Woods and Corleone as culture fits — physical, high-motor players who embody the kind of toughness Hirsch preaches.
Milton’s Command and Offensive Continuity
While the headlines focus on personnel changes, one of the hidden benefits of this offseason is continuity.
Quarterback Joe Milton, entering his second full season as the unquestioned starter, will have his core weapons intact. That chemistry matters — and Milton’s leadership has grown considerably. He’s not just the strong arm anymore; he’s the steady presence the offense rallies around.
With Pickens and Lamb outside, Jonathan Mingo working the slot, Jake Ferguson commanding the seams, and Jaydon Blue emerging as a dual-threat force, Dallas’s offense projects as even more balanced in 2026.
“Joe’s our guy,” offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said. “He and George see the same picture pre-snap. They’re communicating at a level that only elite duos reach.”
Still, the success of the offense hinges on reloading that right tackle spot. If Dallas lands Proctor or Goosby, Milton could enjoy the kind of pocket stability that defines deep playoff runs.
Defensive Evolution: Young, Fast, and Fearless
The Cowboys’ defense is entering its next phase — faster, meaner, and built around youth.
Damone Clark remains the emotional leader, with Shemar James poised to take another step forward after showing flashes of greatness as a rookie. The pass rush is in capable hands with Donovan Ezeiruaku and Marshawn Kneeland, both of whom are coming off breakout campaigns.
But the absence of Kenny Clark leaves a gap — literally and figuratively — in the center of the line. That’s why Peter Woods and Dontay Corleone have become Dallas’s most coveted prospects. Woods brings twitch and explosiveness; Corleone brings brute power and tone-setting energy.
“Woods is a disruptor. Corleone is an anchor,” defensive line coach Aden Durde said. “Either guy would change how offenses have to block us.”
Combine that with a secondary led by Trevon Diggs, Daron Bland, and Shavon Revel Jr., and the Cowboys are quietly assembling one of the league’s most complete young defenses.
Culture Over Comfort
Every move this offseason — from re-signing Pickens to parting ways with veterans — traces back to Hirsch’s core philosophy: discipline, development, and culture.
“You can’t build a dynasty if you’re afraid to evolve,” Hirsch said. “We love our veterans, but this game rewards those who prepare for tomorrow.”
That mindset is evident in how Dallas drafts, practices, and evaluates talent. The Cowboys are no longer chasing headlines — they’re constructing a roster with a clear identity. Toughness in the trenches. Speed on defense. Explosiveness on offense. Leadership in the locker room.
And perhaps most importantly, selflessness — something Hirsch calls “the Cowboy Code.”
The Draft War Room: Building the Blueprint
Inside the Cowboys’ draft room, the energy has been intense but focused. Hirsch, General Manager Will McClay, and scouting director Tom Ciskowski have spent long nights cross-comparing film on Woods, Corleone, Proctor, and Goosby.
Reports indicate the front office’s plan is flexible — depending on how the board falls, Dallas could trade up for Woods if he’s projected to go inside the top 10, or stay patient and snag Corleone late in the first. On the offensive side, Proctor is viewed as an immediate starter; Goosby as a developmental gem with Pro Bowl upside.
What’s certain: Dallas will come away with cornerstone linemen — the kind of players who define eras.
A New Chapter Begins
With Pickens secured, Milton ascending, and a draft class poised to inject fresh power into both lines, the Dallas Cowboys are positioning themselves for sustainable success.
The path won’t be easy — the NFC East remains brutal, and the margin for error small. But this franchise is no longer reactionary. Under Coach Hirsch, it’s deliberate, disciplined, and dangerous.
“We’re not trying to build a one-year wonder,” Hirsch said, leaning forward during his media availability. “We’re building a team that can compete every single year — no matter who lines up across from us.”
The names on the jerseys may change. The contracts may fluctuate. But the mission stays the same: win the line of scrimmage, win in January, and keep the star shining bright.
Next up: the draft board. With needs clearly defined and the war room ready, all eyes turn to Coach Hirsch and his staff as they search for the next generation of Cowboys in the trenches — the players who’ll protect Joe Milton, replace Kenny Clark’s void, and carry Dallas toward the ultimate goal.
The Cowboys aren’t rebuilding. They’re refining.
