As we sit in the midst of May, the Dallas Cowboys roster is set. The team signed a slew of new free agents and spent six of its eight draft picks on defensive players, including No. 11 overall pick Caleb Downs. That gives new defensive coordinator Christian Parker plenty of material to use to reshape what was the league’s worst unit in 2025, with six likely new starters on the field.
That will likely remain the case at least for the next few weeks, as they begin to get closer looks at players in OTAs and next month’s mandatory minicamp. After that, as they head toward training camp in Oxnard in July, the Cowboys could start to entertain the possibility of adding a veteran a player to the mix.
One area where the Cowboys could potentially go for some beefing up: on the edge, where the team added Rashan Gary but could still use a situational rusher whose job is to get after the quarterback on passing downs. Last year, that player turned out to be late addition Jadeveon Clowney. And it could be Clowney, who is still a free agent, again this year.
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It does bear remembering that as last season unwound, Clowney said he would very much like to return to the Cowboys, and Cowboys brass–that is, Jerry Jones and his COO son Stephen Jones–said the team would very much like to have him back. Clowney did not sign on in Dallas until September, and debuted in Week 4. He still led the team with 8.5 sacks last season.
It also bears remembering that, back in December, Clowney said he would like to go through camp with a team this summer, and not be a late-summer addition as he was last year. also on the “worth remembering” list: As soon as the Cowboys hired defensive coordinator Christian Parker, the team completely stopped mentioning re-signing Clowney.
Jadeveon Clowney ‘Would Make a Lot of Sense’
So, what gives? Either the Cowboys were not that serious about keeping Clowney, or he was not that serious about being at training camp, or maybe Parker came in and determined Clowney was not a fit for his scheme.
But, according to Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Ster-Telegram, there is a chance that Clowney could yet be with the Cowboys in 2026 … as a late-summer add.
Said Harris on the “House of Haymaker” podcast, “I would point maybe to Jadeveon Clowney and, once Clowney realizes he has to do his job again on August 25 and he calls his agent, and gets a deal done, then it happens. He is not a training camp guy. He has earned that right, he is what, 13 years into the league now? I get it. He will call his agent on August 25 and if the Cowboys are looking for a pass-rusher, it would make a lot of sense at that point.”
Cowboys Likely Set With Roster–For Now
For the most part, though, expect the Cowboys as they’re currently set up on the depth chart to be the roster the team brings to Oxnard. Good free agents are out there to fill depth roles all over the roster–the Cowboys met with cornerback Adoree’ Jackson last week, and could go for depth at offensive tackle (Robert Decker) or running back (Nick Chubb) or linebacker (Bobby Wagner).
If any of that is going to happen, it will be later, though.
Said Harris: “I think they are content with what this roster looks like going into training camp. Sure, they will add a couple of camp bodies, but I think they want to see what this group will give them.”
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