The Dallas Cowboys’ defense couldn’t possibly play any worse than they did in 2025, right? Well, they are absolutely testing that theory through the first five games of the 2026 season. After giving up 30 points a game last year, good for the NFL’s worst defense, the talk all summer was that new defensive coordinator Christian Parker was going to turn things around. They traded for edge rusher Rashan Gary and linebacker Dee Winters, signed safety Jalen Thompson and edge rusher Von Miller, and drafted safety Caleb Downs and edge rusher Malachi Lawrence. This was supposed to be a shiny, new, improved Cowboys defense. Spoiler alert: it hasn’t happened.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: It’s Worse Than You Think
You’d think hitting rock bottom would mean there’s nowhere to go but up, but somehow, the Cowboys are giving up an additional 18 yards per game compared to last year’s league-worst numbers. It’s actually gotten worse! They are now giving up a league-worst 168 rushing yards per game. And get this, after five games, they have yet to intercept a single pass. Even the Jets, who went all of 2025 without a pick, managed to snag one before Dallas did. Last year’s worst third-down defense? Yeah, they’re giving up even more third-down conversions this season. It’s truly a head-scratcher.
Humiliation on National TV
If there was ever a chance to right the ship and show the NFL they weren’t a complete mess, it was last Thursday night. Primetime, national TV, facing a winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers team at home. A perfect opportunity, right? Nope. Instead, the Cowboys’ defense let an undrafted rookie quarterback orchestrate a soul-crushing 15-play drive that ate up 10 minutes and 58 seconds of clock. The Bucs, who had previously mustered only six points on four opening drives all season, marched right down the field and scored seven. The tone for a humiliating night was set. Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs even admitted, “We were gassed, but seeing them, they were tired, too. They weren’t expecting us to come out like that. That felt really good.” The Bucs, who were eight-point underdogs on the road and on a short week, walked away with a humbling 24-16 win, dropping the Cowboys to 2-3. Owner Jerry Jones himself called the defensive shortcomings “mind-boggling,” stating that side of the ball was “right where we started.”
So Much Offense, So Little To Show For It
It’s clear this defense is holding the Cowboys back in a big way. Dak Prescott and the offense are putting up serious points, averaging 27.6 points per game. Only four NFL teams have scored more: the Bills, Ravens, Lions, and 49ers. But here’s the kicker: those four teams are a combined 16-4 this season, while Dallas is languishing at 2-3, staring up at the Giants in a very flawed, but winnable, NFC East.
And if they needed a brutal reminder of what their defense *isn’t*, they’re headed to Lambeau Field this week to face the Packers. Green Bay famously acquired All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons from the Cowboys before last season. Parsons is still recovering from a torn ACL from last season and hasn’t played this season, and won’t play Sunday. Yet, the Packers already have 14 sacks without him. Dallas? A measly five sacks in five games, with no single player having more than one. In a show of pure desperation, the Cowboys already shipped off a 2028 second-round pick to the Steelers for corner Joey Porter, who they hope can provide some help once he gets settled in. Jerry Jones has already been hit with questions about staff changes, and instead of firing Parker, Dallas took the awkward step of bringing in a veteran coach. What does that even mean for the future? This team needs answers, and fast, before this season slips completely away.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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