The Dallas Cowboys' offseason focus has centered around revamping a woeful defense.
Starting with the hiring of rising defensive coordinator Christian Parker, continuing with the trade for edge rusher Rashan Gary and into free agency, the majority of Dallas' moves have come on the misbegotten defensive side. The Cowboys upgraded the secondary, inking versatile safety Jalen Thompson to a three-year, $33 million contract, and adding corner Cobie Durant and safety P.J. Locke.
Thompson, a seven-year veteran who had spent his entire career in Arizona, likes the trajectory of his new squad.
"I just feel like we have all the right pieces," Thompson said last week, . "[Parker] puts the players in the right places. Players that have worked under him have been All-Pros. He brings that versatility to the defense, where he puts guys in different places that do the right thing for the team.
"We got all the right pieces. We're ready to go. I'm excited to get going with the guys and meet the others as well and create our identity this year as a defense. We got to show that it's not the same defense as last year."
Thompson's versatility will play heavily in Parker's system. In his seven seasons in Arizona, the safety played 2,452 snaps at free safety, 2,039 in the box, 1,160 manning the slot, 143 at outside corner and 44 lined up along the defensive line. In his career, he has generated nine interceptions, 578 tackles and two sacks.
"Wherever the coaches need me at," Thompson said of where he'd like to play. "I definitely see myself playing in the slot. I definitely see myself playing deep safety. I definitely see myself playing strong, free, wherever they need me at. My film shows it. I got tape that shows it. I'm ready to get it going."
The 2025 Cowboys defense not only lacked playmakers but also creativity. The hope is that hiring Parker and adding multifaceted defenders can change everything about the operation in 2026.
