Cowboys Fans Brace for Potential Defensive Disaster

Dallas struck out on top linebacker targets in free agency, raising concerns about the team's defensive plans.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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The Dallas Cowboys made some key defensive additions in free agency, signing defensive lineman Rashan Gary and safety Jalen Thompson. However, the team failed to land top linebacker targets Devin Lloyd, Nakobe Dean, and Quay Walker, who all signed reasonable deals elsewhere. This has left the Cowboys scrambling to fill holes in their linebacker corps, raising concerns among fans about the team's defensive strategy going forward.

Why it matters

The Cowboys' defense struggled at times last season, and the team was hoping to bolster the linebacker position to improve their overall unit. Missing out on these top targets could leave significant holes that the team will struggle to fill, potentially leading to another disappointing defensive performance in 2023.

The details

According to reports, the Cowboys had interest in signing Devin Lloyd, Nakobe Dean, and Quay Walker, all of whom were considered top linebacker prospects in this year's free agent class. However, the team was unwilling to meet the asking prices for these players, who ended up signing reasonable deals with other teams. This has left the Cowboys in a difficult position, as they now need to find alternative options to fill the gaps in their linebacker corps.

  • The Cowboys made their free agent moves on March 10, 2026.

The players

Rashan Gary

A defensive lineman signed by the Cowboys in free agency to bolster their defensive front.

Jalen Thompson

A versatile safety signed by the Cowboys in free agency to improve their secondary.

Devin Lloyd

A top linebacker prospect who signed with another team instead of the Cowboys.

Nakobe Dean

Another top linebacker prospect who signed with another team instead of the Cowboys.

Quay Walker

A third top linebacker prospect who signed with another team instead of the Cowboys.

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What’s next

The Cowboys will need to explore alternative options to fill the gaps in their linebacker corps, either through the draft, trades, or additional free agent signings.

The takeaway

The Cowboys' failure to land top linebacker targets in free agency has left their defense in a precarious position, raising concerns among fans about the team's ability to improve their defensive unit for the upcoming season.