FRISCO, Texas — With expectations sky-high in Arlington for the upcoming 2025 NFL season, the Dallas Cowboys are being strongly urged by analysts, insiders, and even former players to address one of their most glaring needs: the secondary. The suggestion making waves across Cowboys Nation? Signing former Philadelphia Eagles safety and Super Bowl LII champion Malcolm Jenkins — or a player of his mold — to bring leadership, toughness, and proven postseason acumen to a young, talented but inconsistent secondary.
Although Jenkins officially retired in 2022, recent rumblings and comments from his camp have suggested he may be open to a return for the right team and the right role. Whether it’s Jenkins himself or another seasoned free agent like Marcus Peters, Adrian Amos, or even the versatile Logan Ryan, the message is clear: the Cowboys’ secondary needs veteran reinforcements if Dallas is serious about breaking their 30-year Super Bowl drought.
Let’s break down the rationale, feasibility, and implications of such a move.
The State of the Cowboys’ Secondary in 2025
Under defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, the Cowboys are returning to a more conservative, zone-heavy scheme after Dan Quinn’s aggressive man-coverage approach. The change, while necessary after Quinn’s departure to become the head coach of the Washington Commanders, has exposed some gaps in coverage discipline and veteran leadership.
Star cornerback Trevon Diggs is returning from a torn ACL suffered early in the 2023 season, and while he remains a turnover machine, his ball-hawking instincts sometimes lead to susceptibility in coverage. On the opposite side, DaRon Bland, who broke the NFL record for pick-sixes in 2023, took a step back in 2024 and was frequently targeted late in the season.
At safety, Donovan Wilson and Malik Hooker offer athleticism and experience, but neither has consistently been a field general or vocal leader in the way elite defenses demand. Wilson’s injury history is also a concern. Additionally, with Jayron Kearse now with the Baltimore Ravens, there’s a leadership void in the safety room.
Despite an elite pass rush led by Micah Parsons, Dallas’s pass defense faltered late in the 2024 season. In their shocking Wild Card loss to the seventh-seeded Atlanta Falcons, the Cowboys surrendered over 330 passing yards and multiple busted coverages — including a 52-yard touchdown due to miscommunication in the secondary.
Why a Veteran Like Malcolm Jenkins (or Similar) Makes Sense
At 36 years old, Malcolm Jenkins is not the player he once was — but even in his final season with the Saints in 2021, he logged over 900 snaps and allowed just a 78.3 passer rating when targeted. More importantly, Jenkins brings experience, leadership, and football IQ that no one else in Dallas’s secondary currently offers.
During his career with the Saints and Eagles, Jenkins was the captain of championship-caliber defenses. He consistently wore the green dot (signaling the play-caller on defense), lined up at both safety spots, in the slot, and even at linebacker. His versatility made him a chess piece — something Mike Zimmer has historically valued in players like Harrison Smith.
In interviews over the past year, Jenkins has hinted that he stays in “football shape” and would return “for the right contender.” The Cowboys, a team perpetually flirting with greatness but never quite sealing the deal, could offer the perfect storm: national spotlight, elite talent, and one last shot at a ring for a veteran who thrives in pressure-packed situations.
And if not Jenkins specifically? The Cowboys can pursue available veterans like:
- Marcus Peters: While inconsistent, Peters offers high-end man coverage skills and playoff experience with the Rams and Ravens.
- Logan Ryan: A cerebral, versatile DB with two Super Bowl rings from his time with the Patriots. He’s a natural leader and communicator — traits Dallas desperately needs in its secondary.
- Adrian Amos: Reliable and durable, Amos started 122 games from 2015 to 2023. His experience could steady a shaky back-end.
The Leadership Void
Ask any Cowboys fan or analyst what’s missing from this Dallas defense — and leadership will likely be the first answer. Micah Parsons is the heart and soul of the unit, but he’s more emotional spark than calm commander. The defense lacks a veteran organizer on the back end who can read offenses pre-snap, communicate shifts, and make real-time adjustments.
That was once Jayron Kearse’s role, but his departure — coupled with Diggs’ injury and Bland’s inexperience — has left a gap. Jenkins, or a similarly seasoned player, would fill this vacuum instantly. Imagine Jenkins patrolling the back end, making sure the entire defense is lined up correctly, and freeing up Zimmer to run more complex looks.
For a team with championship ambitions, these details matter.
Locker Room and Culture Boost
Another underrated aspect of signing a player like Jenkins is the locker room culture. The Cowboys’ locker room has occasionally been criticized for lacking accountability, especially during postseason collapses. Jenkins, known for his professionalism, film study habits, and fearless vocal leadership, would demand more from his teammates and offer invaluable guidance to younger players like Bland, Israel Mukuamu, and rookie DB Caelen Carson.
Malcolm Jenkins has also long been active in social justice and community leadership — areas the Cowboys organization has shown increasing commitment to. His presence could also serve to strengthen the team’s culture off the field.
The Cap Situation: Can Dallas Afford It?
The Cowboys have some flexibility after restructuring deals for Zack Martin and Dak Prescott, and they are likely to offload a few contracts post-June 1. That will free up the necessary room to make a low-risk, one-year deal in the $4–6 million range for a veteran DB.
Players like Jenkins, Ryan, or Amos would likely accept incentive-based deals in that range, particularly if they believe they’re joining a contender.
With extensions looming for CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons, Dallas must be careful with long-term cap commitments — but a short-term veteran deal is well within their reach.
What Are the Risks?
Of course, signing a 36-year-old safety who’s been retired for multiple years carries some risk. Jenkins could struggle with the speed of the game, or be a step slow in coverage. There’s also the challenge of integrating a new personality into a defense that already has strong voices like Parsons and Diggs.
But the upside — leadership, experience, playoff composure — far outweighs the potential downside. And even if Jenkins isn’t the player they ultimately sign, identifying a veteran with similar traits and pedigree must be a top priority.
What Are Analysts Saying?
Former Cowboys safety Darren Woodson recently spoke on ESPN’s “Get Up” about the team’s secondary, saying:
“Dallas is one veteran safety away from being a Super Bowl defense. You’ve got the horses up front, you’ve got the speed, now you need a guy in the back who can settle things down when chaos hits. That’s what a guy like Jenkins would do.”
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport added:
“Don’t be surprised if Dallas makes a late free agency push for a veteran DB — especially if Zimmer feels they’re not disciplined enough in camp.”
Final Verdict: Jerry Jones Needs to Make the Call
At this stage of his ownership, Jerry Jones isn’t looking to rebuild — he’s all-in for a championship. The 2025 season might be the last realistic run for this current iteration of the Cowboys. With Dak Prescott, Micah Parsons, and CeeDee Lamb all entering their prime (or contract years), the window is now.
Signing a veteran like Malcolm Jenkins is the type of savvy, under-the-radar move that championship teams make. Jenkins won’t lead the team in interceptions. He might not even play every snap. But when January rolls around and the Cowboys find themselves in another one-possession playoff game, Jenkins — or someone like him — could be the difference between another heartbreaking collapse and finally hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.
If Dallas is serious about winning now, they can’t afford to ignore this opportunity.
Possible Depth Chart Addition (Post-Signing):
| Position | Starter | Backup |
|---|---|---|
| FS | Malcolm Jenkins | Malik Hooker |
| SS | Donovan Wilson | Israel Mukuamu |
| CB1 | Trevon Diggs | Nahshon Wright |
| CB2 | DaRon Bland | Caelen Carson (R) |
| Nickel | Jourdan Lewis | Eric Scott Jr. |
