Context:

Dallas moved to shore up a weak defense this offseason with new coordinators and added players, yet certain opportunities were left on the table. The Cowboys’ pursuit of Dante Fowler Jr. appears closed after Fowler visited the Seattle Seahawks, signaling a mutual departure despite his prior claim that Dallas was home. Fowler finished the 2025 season with 15 tackles, three sacks and three pass breakups across all 17 games, while Dallas has since pivoted to other veteran options. The front office now weighs remaining defensive-end choices, including Jadeveon Clowney, as they map out the post-offseason plan. The path forward centers on stabilizing the line and sustaining defensive improvements into 2026.

Dive Deeper:

• Dallas aggressively rebuilt its defense this offseason, adding a new defensive coordinator and multiple defensive linemen and secondary players to address last year’s poor showing.

• Fowler Jr. publicly said he considered Dallas his home, highlighting a potential reunion, but a free-agent visit with the Seahawks indicated the Cowboys would not retain him.

• During the 2025 season Fowler appeared in all 17 games with 11 starts, recording 15 total tackles (10 solo), three sacks and three pass breakups before free agency progressed.

• Earlier in his Cowboys tenure (2022-23), Fowler accumulated 10 sacks and three forced fumbles, providing context for his prior impact with the team.

• With Fowler likely off the table, Dallas is turning to other veteran options such as Jadeveon Clowney, who joined last season on a one-year deal and produced 41 tackles and 8.5 sacks across 13 games.

• Team coverage continues to focus on how the Cowboys will finalize the defensive line and whether further signings or internal developments will sustain their revamped defense into the next season.