The Dallas Cowboys have long been known for their star-studded roster and proud defensive tradition. But as the 2025 season draws closer, one of the most pressing questions circulating among fans, analysts, and even some inside the building is whether the team plans to bolster its secondary before the opening kickoff. In this week’s Cowboys Mailbag, that concern takes center stage—and rightfully so. After all, stopping the pass is no longer just a nice-to-have trait in today’s NFL; it’s a necessity. So, will the Cowboys add help in the secondary?
To start, let’s acknowledge what Dallas already has in the defensive backfield. Trevon Diggs, the team’s dynamic cornerback, is returning from a torn ACL suffered early last season. His absence left a noticeable gap in coverage, even as players like DaRon Bland stepped up in his place. Bland, for his part, had an outstanding season and led the NFL in pick-sixes. The Cowboys have every reason to believe they have two top-level corners once Diggs is fully healthy. Jourdan Lewis is a capable slot option, and Israel Mukuamu and Eric Scott Jr. are still developing. At safety, Malik Hooker, Jayron Kearse, and Donovan Wilson form a trio that brings veteran savvy and versatility to Dan Quinn’s scheme.
But here’s the thing—this isn’t Dan Quinn’s defense anymore. The Cowboys’ former defensive coordinator left this offseason to take the head coaching job with the Washington Commanders, and with him went a specific vision and identity that defined this Dallas unit the last few seasons. Mike Zimmer is now calling the shots, and while his reputation as a defensive mastermind is well-earned, it’s going to take some time to determine which players fit best in his system.
Zimmer prefers disciplined, assignment-sound football. He values physicality and reliability over pure flash, and he isn’t afraid to challenge his defensive backs with complex looks and pre-snap disguises. That could benefit experienced players like Hooker and Kearse, but it also puts a spotlight on the depth and adaptability of the group as a whole. Injuries happen. Slumps happen. And in a pass-happy NFC East with quarterbacks like Jalen Hurts and now Jayden Daniels, the margin for error is razor-thin.
That brings us back to the original question—should the Cowboys bring in more help? From a purely football standpoint, yes, they should. And they probably will.
Throughout the offseason, the Cowboys have been unusually quiet compared to their usual aggressive nature. With questions looming about Dak Prescott’s contract situation and the potential long-term futures of CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons, the front office has taken a more cautious approach with free-agent spending. That doesn’t mean they’re standing still, though. There’s still time to make strategic additions, and the post-June 1 market always brings new opportunities once contracts are split and cap room is reshuffled.
There are still veteran defensive backs on the open market who could be plug-and-play contributors. Someone like Stephon Gilmore, who played with the Cowboys last season and brought a steadying presence opposite Diggs, could make sense for a reunion at the right price. Gilmore wasn’t spectacular, but he was solid—smart, reliable, and physical. That’s exactly the type of player Zimmer covets. If the Cowboys can re-sign him to a one-year deal, it might provide just enough cushion to give their younger corners more time to develop without being thrown into the fire too soon.
Another possibility is that Dallas waits until training camp to make a move. Injuries across the league often lead to surprising cuts, and savvy front offices know how to pounce when the timing is right. If a former starter becomes available in July or August, the Cowboys will absolutely be in the mix. It’s what they’ve done in years past—look no further than the midseason acquisition of Jonathan Hankins to bolster the defensive line in 2022. Patience, in this case, could be a virtue.
And yet, relying entirely on in-season band-aids is a dangerous game. If Diggs takes time to get back to form—or worse, if he experiences setbacks—the Cowboys could be one injury away from a full-blown crisis in the secondary. They’ve been lucky in years past with depth, but the margin for error in the NFL is notoriously thin.
One wildcard in all of this is rookie Caelen Carson, the fifth-round pick out of Wake Forest. Carson was a bit of a steal on Day 3, a long, physical corner who excels in zone coverage and has shown flashes of ball-hawking instincts. Zimmer has a track record of developing young defensive backs, and if Carson can pick up the system quickly, he may carve out a rotational role sooner than expected. Still, banking on a rookie corner to be your insurance policy is risky at best.
It’s also worth noting that this coaching staff is operating with a win-now mandate. After last year’s playoff disappointment, owner Jerry Jones made it abundantly clear that he expects results—soon. That puts pressure on Mike McCarthy and new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer to get things right from the jump. That means minimizing growing pains. That means proven depth. That means reinforcing the secondary before it becomes a problem, not after.
The Cowboys’ front office has generally been at its best when blending star power with smart, calculated moves. They’ve done it before. They may not be flashy in free agency, but they’ve consistently found contributors in the bargain bin—think Malik Hooker, Dante Fowler Jr., and even Anthony Barr for a stretch. This summer will likely be no different. The blueprint for a top-tier defense is already in place, but the finishing touches are still missing.
Fans hoping for a splashy signing may need to temper their expectations, but that doesn’t mean help isn’t coming. More likely than not, the Cowboys will add a veteran corner or safety before the season begins. It may not happen tomorrow. It may not happen next week. But it will happen. The stakes are too high not to.
So, will the Cowboys add help in the secondary? All signs point to yes. It won’t be a panic move. It will be a calculated one. And if recent history is any indication, it will be just enough to shore up a group with potential—but also with questions. In a division where every game could be the difference between home-field advantage and a wild-card exit, that kind of foresight could define the season.
The pieces are mostly in place. Trevon Diggs is back. DaRon Bland has emerged. The safety trio brings experience and toughness. Mike Zimmer brings discipline and fresh eyes. But NFL seasons are long, attrition is real, and depth is everything. If the Cowboys want to make a deep postseason run, adding one more trusted hand in the secondary might be the smartest move they make all year.
