Cowboys Offseason Heats Up: Dante Fowler Departs, Dallas Makes Quick Roster Move, and Adoree’ Jackson Emerges as Defensive Target

The Dallas Cowboys’ offseason may have appeared relatively quiet from the outside, but recent developments suggest otherwise.

Within a matter of days, the Cowboys have watched a veteran pass rusher depart in free agency, waived an offensive lineman less than a week after signing him, and hosted a former first-round cornerback for a visit that could have significant implications for the team’s secondary heading into the 2026 season.

Together, the moves provide a revealing glimpse into the Cowboys’ ongoing roster overhaul and their determination to reshape the defense under new leadership.

Dante Fowler Jr. Heads to Seattle

Veteran edge rusher Dante Fowler Jr. is officially moving on from Dallas.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Fowler has agreed to a one-year contract worth up to $5 million with the Seattle Seahawks, ending his latest stint with the Cowboys.

The move hardly comes as a surprise.

Dallas had already begun transitioning toward a younger defensive core, and Fowler’s future with the organization appeared uncertain throughout the offseason.

A former third-overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, Fowler entered the league with enormous expectations. Now entering his 12th NFL season, he remains in pursuit of another opportunity to prove he can still contribute at a high level.

Unfortunately, his 2025 campaign in Dallas was one of the least productive of his career.

Fowler appeared in all 17 games and started 16, but managed only three sacks and 15 total tackles. Those numbers fell well short of expectations for a starting edge defender and reflected a season in which he struggled to make a consistent impact.

Following the season, Fowler openly acknowledged his disappointing performance.

He admitted that injuries and physical wear had taken a toll on him and said he needed time to recover and regain the form that made him one of the league’s more effective rotational pass rushers in previous years.

His move to Seattle could provide exactly that opportunity.

The Seahawks’ coaching staff includes former Cowboys assistant Antone “AD” Durde, a coach familiar with Fowler’s strengths and limitations. That familiarity could help Seattle maximize whatever production Fowler still has left to offer.

For Dallas, however, the departure signals a clear shift in direction.

The Cowboys spent significant draft capital rebuilding their defense and have repeatedly emphasized the need for a fresh identity under new defensive coordinator Christian Parker.

Owner Jerry Jones recently stated that the organization has “changed this defense,” a message reinforced by the team’s recent personnel decisions.

Fowler’s exit may not be viewed as a loss so much as a sign that Dallas is fully committed to turning the page.

Cowboys Waive Sidney Fuger After Less Than a Week

While Fowler’s departure generated headlines, another roster move highlighted just how competitive life at the bottom of an NFL roster can be.

The Cowboys officially waived offensive lineman Sidney Fuger less than a week after adding him to the team.

The move came after Dallas signed undrafted rookie offensive lineman D.J. Wingfield, creating the need for a roster spot on the team’s 90-man offseason roster.

ESPN’s Todd Archer confirmed the transaction and noted that Dallas still retains one available roster position due to an international player exemption.

For Fuger, the release serves as a reminder of how unforgiving the NFL can be.

The massive 6-foot-5, 343-pound guard built an impressive collegiate résumé while playing at Western Illinois, South Carolina, and Baylor. During his final two seasons at Baylor, he started 15 games and demonstrated the size and strength teams often covet in interior linemen.

Yet in the NFL, even promising players can find themselves without a roster spot almost overnight.

Fuger’s stay in Dallas lasted only a matter of days before the organization chose to move in a different direction.

Whether another franchise offers him an opportunity remains to be seen.

Adoree’ Jackson Visits Dallas

The most intriguing development of the week may involve the Cowboys’ secondary.

Veteran cornerback Adoree’ Jackson recently visited the team’s facility, fueling speculation that Dallas could be exploring another addition to its defensive backfield.

NFL insider Jordan Schultz first reported the visit.

The connection makes plenty of sense.

Jackson spent the 2025 season with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he worked closely with defensive backs coach Christian Parker. Parker now serves as Dallas’ defensive coordinator, giving him firsthand knowledge of Jackson’s abilities and limitations.

That familiarity likely played a major role in bringing the veteran cornerback to Dallas for discussions.

A Former First-Round Talent Looking for Another Opportunity

Jackson entered the NFL as the 18th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft and has started numerous games throughout his professional career.

Last season in Philadelphia, he appeared in 10 starts and recorded:

• 55 tackles
• 11 passes defended
• 1 interception

At first glance, those numbers suggest a respectable season.

However, advanced analytics painted a less favorable picture.

According to Pro Football Focus, Jackson ranked near the bottom of qualifying NFL cornerbacks, finishing 67th out of 71 players who logged at least 600 defensive snaps.

Quarterbacks frequently targeted him, and while some incompletions resulted from inaccurate throws or dropped passes, Jackson often struggled to consistently win his matchups.

As a result, the Eagles chose not to re-sign him after his one-year contract expired.

A Depth Addition, Not a Starter

If Dallas ultimately signs Jackson, expectations should remain realistic.

The Cowboys already possess an established cornerback hierarchy.

DaRon Bland is expected to remain the team’s primary outside corner, while several younger players are projected to compete for significant roles throughout training camp.

Jackson would likely serve as veteran insurance rather than a full-time starter.

That role could still prove valuable.

Behind the projected starters, Dallas lacks extensive proven depth at cornerback. Injuries are inevitable over the course of an NFL season, and adding an experienced player familiar with Parker’s defensive system could provide important stability.

Most importantly, Jackson would likely come at a relatively low financial cost.

For a Cowboys team seeking flexibility while continuing its roster transition, that type of low-risk veteran acquisition could make considerable sense.

A Defense Still Under Construction

The departures, signings, and visits of the past week all point toward one conclusion: the Cowboys’ defensive rebuild remains a work in progress.

Dallas has moved on from veterans who no longer fit its long-term plans, continued evaluating young developmental talent, and explored affordable options to strengthen key positions.

Whether these moves are enough to transform the defense into a championship-caliber unit remains an open question.

The loss of Dante Fowler removes another experienced voice from the locker room. The waiver of Sidney Fuger underscores the fierce competition taking place across the roster. Meanwhile, the potential addition of Adoree’ Jackson suggests the front office still sees vulnerabilities in the secondary that must be addressed.

As training camp approaches, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: the Cowboys are not standing still.

They are rebuilding, recalibrating, and preparing for what they hope will be a significantly improved 2026 season.

Whether these changes ultimately move Dallas closer to Super Bowl contention will be determined on the field, but the transformation is already underway.