FRISCO – The Dallas Cowboys are certainly suckers for headlines and distractions at times. For two years now, the contract extensions of their best three players have taken center stage in the offseason. Last time, fans and pundits waited until the eleventh hour for Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb to get their deserved deals. Now, they are in the early stages of that same process with Micah Parsons.

Frankly, the deal should be a no-brainer given Parsons’ record production and leadership on this team. But Jerry Jones is clearly in no rush. Until the Cowboys lock up Parsons for the long term, that question will remain. But an unfortunate consequence has been the overshadowing of the team’s other fascinating storylines on the defensive side.

New defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus returns to The Star in his first year at this post and Dallas awaits the return of Trevon Diggs to their secondary. Lost among all this has been the progression of the young talent on this roster. The Cowboys had a forgettable 2024 campaign but watched the rise of some key assets on the defensive side.

DeMarvion Overshown and Marist Liufau had their own unique breakouts last season. Additional growth is anticipated among player like Marshawn Kneeland, Caelen Carson and Sam Williams. Unfortunately, a major theme among this group has been injuries. Carson’s rookie season was derailed with injury and a torn ACL cost Williams his third season.

Perhaps the most concerning of all has been Overshown whose more drastic knee ailments have his 2025 season in jeopardy. Regardless, once the Cowboys get these pieces back in the rotation, there is much reason for optimism. Related: Cowboys Draft ‘Home-Run’ RB in Latest Mel Kiper Jr. Mock

Much like they are hoping to do on the offensive side with Prescott, Dallas has a solid core around Parsons. Signings of veterans Dante Fowler Jr., Kenneth Murray Jr. and Jack Sanborn certainly aid that development. But Eberflus has an intriguing unit to formulate through the coming months, through training camp and into the postseason. He will have young formidable forces waiting in reserve along with some additional upgrades found in the NFL Draft.

All this potential awaits the hurdle of the Parsons extension. Once that is set in place, the Cowboys will be in position for significant improvement through the coming years.