After finishing with one of the league’s worst defensive units last year, the Dallas Cowboys are focusing their attention toward improving their defense ahead of the 2026 season.

One player who has already noticed a difference is star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. He admitted that practicing against the Cowboys’ revamped defense has not been easy.

“It’s annoying,” Lamb told Jon Machota of The Athletic. “It’s been annoying to prepare against. But obviously seeing it [the Cowboys' new defense] in practice every day, it’s kind of unique. Just seeing the different guys communicate and being able to understand and take what they learn from the meeting room and being able to easily translate it on the field. It’s good to go against. It’s very tricky.”

Dallas' offense remained at the center of its 2025 performance. The team struggled throughout the season with its defense, which led to them missing the playoffs.

So, Lamb's comments came at an important time for Dallas' defense. His honest take pointed out that the unit is making progress under new defensive coordinator Christian Parker.

The remarks also shed light on how good communication has helped the defense and makes Dallas' preparation look more organized. 

Dallas' Offseason Moves To Prepare A New Defense

The Cowboys are hoping for a turnaround after a disappointing defensive campaign in 2025. The front office also made several key moves ahead of the new season to address the team's defensive weaknesses.

Dallas added defensive tackle Quinnen Williams in a trade with the New York Jets and linebacker Dee Winters from the San Francisco 49ers.

Rookies Caleb Downs and Jaishawn Barham were acquired through the NFL Draft. Downs, especially, has already impressed teammate Quinnen Williams.

“He [Caleb Downs] has all the tools,” Williams told Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “He has all the things that you want for a guy to come in and make an immediate impact. He’s humble. He’s ready to learn.”

The Cowboys believe those additions can help reshape a defense this season. Facing a difficult defensive scheme every day would also better prepare Dak Prescott and the offensive line ahead of the season.

Dallas finished near the bottom of the league defensively and ended the year with a 7-9-1 record. This poor performance marked the second consecutive year that Dallas missed the postseason. 

With several new pieces settling into Parker’s system, Dallas hopes to make a comeback once the season begins.

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Written by

Evince Das

Edited by

Arundhoti Palit