Cowboys Star Lamb Calls for Pass Rusher to Boost Defense

Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb says Dallas needs to target a top pass rusher in the offseason to elevate the struggling defense.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Dallas Cowboys star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb made a specific roster request to the team's front office, suggesting they target a top pass rusher in the offseason to help boost the defense. Lamb acknowledged the Cowboys' defense struggled mightily last season, finishing near the bottom of the league in several key categories. The team has since fired defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus and hired the 34-year-old Christian Parker as his replacement, the youngest defensive coordinator in Cowboys history.

Why it matters

The Cowboys' defense was one of the worst in franchise history last season, and Lamb believes adding an elite pass rusher is the key to turning things around. Improving the defense will be crucial for the Cowboys to return to the playoffs and contend for a Super Bowl after a disappointing 7-9 campaign.

The details

In a recent interview, Lamb told The Rich Eisen Show that the Cowboys are "missing a pass rusher to get to the QB." He believes that if the team can address that need this offseason, "the rest will take care of itself." The Cowboys finished near the bottom of the league in several major defensive categories, including 30th in total defense, last in pass defense, 31st in red zone defense, and 30th in third-down defense, takeaways, and yards allowed.

  • The Cowboys finished the 2025 season with a 7-9 record.
  • Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus was fired on January 6, 2026.
  • The Cowboys hired 34-year-old Christian Parker as their new defensive coordinator.

The players

CeeDee Lamb

A superstar wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys.

Matt Eberflus

The former defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys, who was fired after just one season with the team.

Christian Parker

The new, 34-year-old defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys, the youngest in franchise history.

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What they’re saying

“For us to elevate as far as defensive-wise, I think we're missing a pass rusher to get to the QB. I felt like that's what we were missing, but overall, as a team and as a unit, we could be better to hold up our end of the bargain.”

— CeeDee Lamb, Wide Receiver (The Rich Eisen Show)

“I don't know if it changed that much. Obviously you have an All-Pro pass rusher that wins really quick, that's certainly going to help any defense if it's Micah or if it's Myles [Garrett] or whoever it might be. That impact player is always going to help to a certain degree on pass downs and other downs. Again, you can't look back. It is what it is, and you just focus on where you are.”

— Matt Eberflus, Former Defensive Coordinator (Newsweek)

What’s next

The Cowboys will look to address their pass-rushing needs in the upcoming offseason, with the hope of improving a defense that struggled mightily in 2025.

The takeaway

CeeDee Lamb's call for the Cowboys to target a top pass rusher this offseason underscores the team's pressing need to upgrade a defense that was one of the worst in franchise history last season. Improving the pass rush could be the key to the Cowboys returning to the playoffs and contending for a Super Bowl after a disappointing 7-9 campaign.