As the Dallas Cowboys gear up for the 2026 season, the team is in a state of flux, with several key players entering their final season in the city. This is a critical time for the franchise, as they look to rebuild and reshape their roster after a disappointing 7-9-1 campaign in 2025. With a new defensive coordinator and a host of changes, the Cowboys are poised for a turnaround, but it remains to be seen if these players will be a part of the future.
One player who is definitely on the chopping block is Luke Schoonmaker, a tight end who has failed to live up to expectations. Despite a promising start in 2023, Schoonmaker took a step back in 2025, and his position on the roster is now in jeopardy. With Brevyn Spann-Ford and Michael Trigg pushing for a spot, Schoonmaker's time in Dallas may be coming to an end.
Another player who is in a precarious position is Malik Hooker, a safety who was a key part of the defensive turnaround under Dan Quinn. However, with a crowded group of safeties in Dallas, Hooker's future is uncertain. The team has a wealth of talent at the position, and Hooker may find himself on the outside looking in.
George Pickens, a wide receiver, is also in a delicate situation. Despite his desire to sign an extension with the Cowboys, Pickens is resigned to the fact that it won't happen in 2026. With Ryan Flournoy being groomed as the new WR2, Pickens may be forced to test the open market in 2027.
Finally, there is DaRon Bland, a cornerback who signed a massive four-year, $92 million deal in 2023. However, after a disappointing 2025 season marred by injury, Bland's starting role is now in question. With the Cowboys able to get out of his deal in 2027, it is likely that they will move on from Bland unless he can reclaim his form from earlier in his career.
These players are all in different situations, but they share one thing in common: they are all entering their final season in Dallas. As the Cowboys look to rebuild, these players will be key to the team's success, but it remains to be seen if they will be a part of the future. In my opinion, the Cowboys are taking a calculated risk by allowing these players to test the open market, but it is a risk that could pay off if they can reclaim their form and become key contributors to the team's success.
