– No. 1 issue: the worst secondary in the league last season, allowing a league-high 251.5 pass yards per game 🔥📊.
– Potential fixes in free agency: Malik Hooker may be cut, Donovan Wilson’s future is unclear, and Dallas needs a steady middle-of-the-field leader. The safety market is deep, with options like Andre Cisco, Jalen Thompson, Kevin Byard, Reed Blankenship, and Jaquan Brisker ready to upgrade the back end.
– Top target: Kevin Byard could be a game-changer for the Cowboys. After a standout 2025 season (first-team All-Pro with seven interceptions), Byard led Chicago’s defense to 33 takeaways and has been a durable, veteran presence who can run a secondary in multiple schemes.
– Why Byard fits Dallas: veteran leadership for a first-year defensive coordinator, strong cover-2 and in-the-box versatility, and immediate impact against explosive plays. He’d help tighten communication and reliability in the back end.
– The market reality: Byard is projected to around $24 million in a new deal; Chicago would love to keep him, but free agency could tilt in favor of other teams, including the Cowboys.
– Takeaway: If Dallas lands Byard (or another proven safety), the secondary could quickly flip from a glaring weakness to a strength, especially with a new defensive scheme and better mid-field integrity 🏈🔥.
