The Dallas Cowboys traded Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers prior to last season, leaving a gaping hole on their defensive line.

What happened?

The Cowboys selected Caleb Downs with one of their two first-round draft picks this year out of Ohio State.
They're trying to revamp their defense following a disastrous 2026 season.

Why it matters for Micah Parsons

The team's offense had an elite year last season, led by MVP-caliber production from Dak Prescott.
But the defense needs to level up to its previous strong heights.
The Cowboys traded for Quinnen Williams from the New York Jets at the trade deadline last year.

What comes next?

On Thursday, the team signed former Raiders DE Charles Snowden, who started 18 games for Las Vegas over the last two seasons.
Snowden recorded 4.5 sacks and 8 tackles for loss in the 2024-2025 season.
The Cowboys will hope that Snowden adds good depth to their front seven.
The team is slated to kick off their season on September 13 vs the divisional rival New York Giants.
And the Cowboys are looking to improve their pass rush heading into next season.
But health has been somewhat of a concern for Snowden during his Raiders tenure.
So the Cowboys will be keeping a close eye on his performance.
The signing of Snowden is a solid move by the Cowboys to address their defensive needs.
As reported by NFL insider Jordan Schultz, Snowden should add some good depth to the Cowboys' front seven.
The Cowboys are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2026 season.
With the addition of Snowden, they're taking steps in the right direction.
The team's defense will be put to the test in their season opener against the New York Giants.