{"id":135215,"date":"2026-01-06T09:30:21","date_gmt":"2026-01-06T09:30:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=135215"},"modified":"2026-01-06T09:30:21","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T09:30:21","slug":"update-cowboys-fans-wont-like-this-list-but-the-writing-is-on-the-wall-as-dallas-plans-for-the-future-five-current-players-look-destined-to-be-gone-by-2026-j","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=135215","title":{"rendered":"Update: Cowboys fans won\u2019t like this list. But the writing is on the wall as Dallas plans for the future. Five current players look destined to be gone by 2026 (J)"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Cowboys\u2019 2025 Season Ends in Disappointment: These Players Likely Just Played Their Final Game in Dallas<\/h3>\n

And just like that, the curtain has closed on the 2025 Dallas Cowboys season<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Despite boasting what many analysts considered one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL<\/strong> for much of the year, Dallas stumbled to a 7\u20139\u20131 record<\/strong>, missing the playoffs and falling well short of expectations. For a franchise built on star power, ambition, and constant national attention, the result was nothing short of frustrating.<\/p>\n

Now, with the offseason officially underway, the Cowboys face a familiar reality: major roster changes are coming<\/strong>, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. While owner Jerry Jones is known for occasionally zigging when the rest of the league zags, logic suggests that several players from the 2025 roster have reached the end of the road in Dallas.<\/p>\n

Whether due to expiring contracts, poor performance, or schematic misfits, these Cowboys likely just played their final game with the team.<\/p>\n

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Defensive Failures Define the Cowboys\u2019 2025 Collapse<\/h2>\n

\"5<\/p>\n

The irony of Dallas\u2019 season is hard to ignore. While the offense routinely put up points and moved the ball at will, the defense repeatedly failed to hold up its end of the bargain.<\/p>\n

Under defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus<\/strong>, expectations were high \u2014 especially given his reputation as a defensive mind and so-called \u201clinebacker whisperer.\u201d Instead, the unit regressed across multiple position groups, exposing depth issues, athletic limitations, and questionable personnel decisions.<\/p>\n

As a result, the front office now faces a necessary reckoning.<\/p>\n

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Kenneth Murray: A Failed Experiment at Linebacker<\/h2>\n

If there is a single player who symbolizes the Cowboys\u2019 linebacker struggles, it\u2019s Kenneth Murray<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Murray\u2019s final snap of the season couldn\u2019t have come soon enough. By virtually every metric, he was among the worst linebackers in the NFL<\/strong> in 2025. According to Pro Football Focus, Murray finished the year with:<\/p>\n

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    A 32.9 run-defense grade<\/strong> (worst in the league by a wide margin)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    A 40.1 overall defensive grade<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Consistent struggles diagnosing plays and finishing tackles<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    There was some optimism entering the season that Eberflus could help unlock Murray\u2019s potential, as he has done with linebackers in the past. That optimism quickly evaporated.<\/p>\n

    Simply put, Murray looked like the same player he was at Oklahoma \u2014 athletic in theory, but unreliable in execution. Poor angles, slow reads, and an inability to disengage from blockers made him a liability on early downs.<\/p>\n

    With his contract expiring, there is virtually no chance Murray is re-signed<\/strong>. He has become the face of what many would argue was the league\u2019s weakest linebacker room.<\/p>\n

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    Sam Williams: A Contract Year That Went Sideways<\/h2>\n

    Few players had more to gain \u2014 or lose \u2014 in 2025 than Sam Williams<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    Entering the season, the former second-round pick was viewed as a potential breakout candidate and even a rumored extension target. Injuries to Micah Parsons<\/strong> and DeMarcus Lawrence<\/strong> created a golden opportunity for Williams to carve out a larger role.<\/p>\n

    Instead, the results were deeply underwhelming.<\/p>\n

    In 252 pass-rush snaps<\/strong> prior to Week 18, Williams produced:<\/p>\n

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      21 total pressures<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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      1 sack<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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      4 quarterback hits<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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      17 hurries<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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      6 tackles for loss<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      While those numbers aren\u2019t catastrophic on paper, they fall well short of what Dallas needed \u2014 especially from a player getting extended run in a contract year.<\/p>\n

      Outside of an occasional splash play on special teams, Williams failed to consistently impact games. The Cowboys may have dodged a bullet by not extending him earlier, as his market value has clearly taken a hit.<\/p>\n

      Barring a dramatic change of direction from the front office, Williams will be wearing a different uniform in 2026<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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      Donovan Wilson: A Hard-Hitting Safety Whose Time Has Passed<\/h2>\n

      The Cowboys\u2019 safety position is due for a complete overhaul, and Donovan Wilson<\/strong> appears to be one of the easiest decisions.<\/p>\n

      Wilson, now 30 years old<\/strong>, is a physical enforcer who has delivered countless highlight-reel hits over the years. Unfortunately, the modern NFL increasingly values versatility and coverage ability at safety \u2014 two areas where Wilson struggled mightily in 2025.<\/p>\n

      Statistically, the season was rough:<\/p>\n

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        15 missed tackles<\/strong>, matching his total defensive stops<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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        114.3 passer rating allowed in coverage<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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        Just 4 quarterback pressures<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n

        Limited impact near the line of scrimmage<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        While Eberflus\u2019s scheme \u2014 which often placed Wilson deep in coverage \u2014 didn\u2019t play to his strengths, Wilson failed to stand out even when moved closer to the box.<\/p>\n

        As a former sixth-round pick, Wilson carved out a respectable NFL career. But with his contract expiring and Dallas needing two new starting safeties<\/strong>, his departure feels inevitable.<\/p>\n

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        Dante Fowler: Regression at the Worst Possible Time<\/h2>\n

        After recording 10.5 sacks with Washington<\/strong> in 2024, Dante Fowler<\/strong> was expected to bring reliable pass-rush juice to Dallas. Instead, he became another example of a player whose production plummeted under Eberflus.<\/p>\n

        In 17 games<\/strong>, Fowler managed just:<\/p>\n

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          3 sacks<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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          Significantly more pass-rush snaps than the year prior<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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          Minimal disruption on obvious passing downs<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          At this stage of his career, Fowler profiles best as a situational pass rusher<\/strong> \u2014 a DE4 who can be unleashed on third downs. He still has some value in that role, but not at the $5 million price tag he carried in 2025.<\/p>\n

          Fowler will turn 32 before the 2026 season<\/strong>, and Dallas would be wise to allocate resources elsewhere. If the Cowboys prioritize re-signing a veteran edge defender, Jadeveon Clowney<\/strong> makes far more sense.<\/p>\n

          \n

          Jack Sanborn: Another Linebacker Gamble That Failed<\/h2>\n

          Perhaps no player did more damage to Matt Eberflus\u2019s reputation than Jack Sanborn<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

          Once a fan favorite with the Chicago Bears, Sanborn arrived in Dallas with the label of \u201csystem fit.\u201d Unfortunately, the results were disastrous.<\/p>\n

          Before a groin injury prematurely ended his season, Sanborn struggled badly in coverage, becoming a frequent target for opposing offenses. While he showed some competence downhill against the run, his athletic limitations were glaring.<\/p>\n

          Sanborn allowed:<\/p>\n

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            A 107.3 passer rating in coverage<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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            Repeated mismatches against tight ends and running backs<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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            Little recovery speed when beaten<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            In a league increasingly defined by space and speed, Sanborn simply couldn\u2019t keep up.<\/p>\n

            With the linebacker position set for a major reset in 2026, Sanborn \u2014 despite his ties to Eberflus \u2014 is a long shot to return<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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            A Defensive Reset Is Inevitable<\/h2>\n

            \"Terence<\/p>\n

            Taken together, these departures highlight just how much work the Cowboys must do this offseason. Nearly every level of the defense \u2014 linebacker, edge rusher, safety \u2014 requires reinforcements.<\/p>\n

            The silver lining? Dallas has clarity.<\/p>\n

            These decisions aren\u2019t controversial. They\u2019re necessary.<\/p>\n

            If the Cowboys hope to turn elite offensive production into wins in 2026, the defense must become faster, smarter, and more reliable. That starts by moving on from players who failed to meet the standard.<\/p>\n

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            Final Thoughts: Turning the Page on a Forgettable Season<\/h2>\n

            The 2025 season will be remembered as one of wasted potential. A high-powered offense was undermined by a defense that simply couldn\u2019t hold its ground.<\/p>\n

            Now comes the hard part \u2014 making tough roster decisions and learning from mistakes.<\/p>\n

            For Kenneth Murray, Sam Williams, Donovan Wilson, Dante Fowler, and Jack Sanborn, that likely means their time in Dallas is over.<\/p>\n

            For the Cowboys, it\u2019s an opportunity to reset \u2014 and to make sure 2026 tells a very different story.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

            <\/div>\n
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            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n
            <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

            Cowboys\u2019 2025 Season Ends in Disappointment: These Players Likely Just Played Their Final Game in Dallas And just like that, the curtain has closed on the 2025… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":135222,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-135215","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nfl"],"yoast_head":"\nUpdate: Cowboys fans won\u2019t like this list. But the writing is on the wall as Dallas plans for the future. 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