​The Dallas Cowboys entered the 2025 NFL season hoping to emerge as a Super Bowl 60 contender. However, a decision to trade Micah Parsons one week before the season began ultimately undermined their chances of achieving that goal.The Cowboys sputtered to a 7-10 record despite a strong, all-around season from their offense. The problem? Dallas’ defense was the league’s worst, allowing 30.1 points per game and ranking dead-last in defensive EPA per play, according to the NFL’s Next Gen Stats.That left the Cowboys facing a mandate to adequately rebuild their defense during the 2026 NFL offseason. Otherwise, they would risk missing the playoffs a second consecutive season despite their good-looking offense.How did Dallas do in its efforts to achieve that goal? Here’s a complete breakdown of the Cowboys’ offseason and whether the team did enough to become a contender.Dallas Cowboys offseason report cardFree agency: B+Dallas was more active than usual during NFL free agency even though the team didn’t make any big-time splash moves. The Cowboys instead focused on adding numerous proven veterans to aid their beleaguered defense.Notably, Dallas was active on the trade market. It acquired veteran pass rusher Rashan Gary from the Green Bay Packers for a late-round pick swap and also added linebacker Dee Winters from the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a Day 3 pick.The Cowboys also offloaded one of their many high-paid interior defensive linemen. They traded Osa Odighizuwa to the 49ers in a separate trade that netted them a third-round pick just one year after signing Odighizuwa to a four-year, $80 million contract.Elsewhere, the Cowboys made significant additions to their secondary, with safety Jalen Thompson representing their biggest offseason acquisition. He figures to replace Donovan Wilson as the team’s starting strong safety, while Cobie Durant, P.J. Locke and Derion Kendrick will also compete for roles in Dallas’ back end.Dallas wasn’t as active targeting offensive talent, but it did slap George Pickens with the franchise tag. He was their key free agent to retain, and doing so should have Cowboys fans feeling pretty good about what the team achieved on the open market.NFL draft: A-In the lead-up to the 2026 NFL Draft, many draftniks opined Caleb Downs would be the perfect, tone-setting option and impactful playmaker for Dallas’ defense. The problem was few believed he would actually be on the board when they were on the clock.But in the end, the positional value of safety allowed Dallas to have a shot at Downs. They traded up one spot to grab him with the 11th overall pick and gave themselves a blue-chip defender to really bring their defense together.Dallas continued to add to its stop unit in the draft, most intriguingly adding two very different edge players – speed rusher Malachi Lawrence and big-bodied tweener LT Overton – to complete its new-look defensive line rotation. The Cowboys did a great job finding value with its selections, ma