The Dallas Cowboys entered the 2026 season with a revamped roster, including several notable additions and departures. Among the most significant moves was the acquisition of linebacker Dee Winters, who was traded from the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick. Winters, a sixth-round pick by the 49ers in 2023, became a full-time starter in 2025 and was ranked 46th overall for off-ball linebackers by Pro Football Focus. His contract, now in its final year, carries a cap hit of $3.67 million.

Defensive Roster Shakeup and New Additions

Alongside Winters. The Cowboys added defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, who joined the team mid-2025 and has since adapted to the new system, but Williams praised the team’s culture and expressed confidence in his ability to improve. “I know I can be better. ” he said during minicamp; he also highlighted the leadership of new defensive coordinator Christian Parker, calling him “incredible” and noting his experience with top-tier defenses across the league.

The Cowboys also saw the departure of longtime special teams contributor C.J, as Goodwin, who announced his retirement after 108 games with the team since 2018. Goodwin, 36, started only one game in his career and was primarily a special teams standout — his absence will be felt, particularly in his role as one of the team’s captains.

Key Questions for the 2026 Season

One of the most pressing questions for the Cowboys is the performance of cornerback DaRon Bland, who signed a four-year, $90 million contract in the offseason. Bland, the seventh-highest paid cornerback in the league, has missed significant time due to injury since his standout 2023 season; he played only 19 games over the past two seasons and is coming off foot surgery. The team expects him to solidify his side of the field and return to top form.

“If they didn’t believe in him, they wouldn’t have given him the four-year, $90 million extension,” said Cowboys writer Tommy Yarrish; the challenge for Bland is to stay healthy and prove he can consistently perform at an elite level.

Broader Context and Ongoing Issues

While the team focuses on roster changes and performance, the Cowboys are also dealing with the ongoing impact of CTE, a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head trauma. Marshawn Kneeland, a former Cowboys player who died by suicide at 24 in 2025, was recently diagnosed with CTE stage 1 posthumously. His case highlights the growing awareness of the long-term health risks in the NFL and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.

According to the Boston University CTE Center, nearly half of the athletes studied who died before 30 showed signs of CTE. The center’s director, Dr. Ann McKee, emphasized that understanding the early stages of CTE is key for developing effective treatments and, ultimately, a cure.

As the Cowboys prepare for the 2026 season, they face both on-field challenges and broader league-wide concerns. The success of key players like Winters and Bland, along with the integration of new leaders like Quinnen Williams and Christian Parker, will be critical in determining the team’s trajectory.