Dallas, TX
Cowboys add another low-key name to their defense via free agency
The Cowboys are making moves in free agency, agreeing to terms with defensive end Payton Turner on a one-year deal, as reported by NBC Sports on March 11. The ink’s barely dry on this $3 million contract-$2 million of it guaranteed-and it’s already got fans talking. After a rollercoaster stint with the New Orleans Saints, Turner’s bringing his talents to Big D, and this could be a sneaky-good pickup for a team looking to bolster its defensive line.
Turner, a 26-year-old Houston alum, was a first-round pick (28th overall) by the Saints in the 2021 NFL Draft. His rookie contract-four years, $12.5 million-wrapped up last season, and New Orleans declined his fifth-year option, setting him loose as an unrestricted free agent. Injuries plagued his early years-foot, shoulder, calf, you name it-limiting him to just 31 games over four seasons. But 2024 was his healthiest yet, with 16 appearances, 21 tackles, two sacks, and a career-high four pass deflections.”He’s got the tools,” a Cowboys scout told NFL Media. “We’re betting on that upside.”
He would leave! Micah Parsons admits that he would not be part of the Dallas Cowboys if this happens
So, why Dallas? The Cowboys already have stars like Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence, but depth’s been a quiet concern-especially after losing Dorance Armstrong to the Commanders last year. Turner’s not here to start-he’s never done that in a regular-season game-but he’s a rotational piece with potential.
At 6-foot-6 and 270 pounds, he’s got the frame to disrupt, and his 31% defensive snap share in 2024 with the Saints shows he can handle a workload. Plus, that 53% special teams usage? That’s gold for a squad that values versatility.
Free agency move explained
The deal’s a low-risk, high-reward move for Jerry Jones and crew. At $3 million, with $2 million locked in, it’s a prove-it contract-Turner gets a fresh start, and Dallas gets a former first-rounder at a bargain.
“We’ve done more in free agency already than all of 2024,” an NBC Sports analyst quipped, nodding to Dallas’ early activity, like snagging RB Javonte Williams too. Turner’s five career sacks and 11 QB hits might not scream superstar, but he could thrive as a situational rusher.
Cowboys fans are already dreaming of Turner chasing quarterbacks behind Parsons’ chaos. Will he finally shake the injury bug? Can he carve out a bigger role? This signing’s got all the makings of a sleeper hit-let’s see if “PT” can turn potential into production in that star-studded helmet.
Morton started 15 games in 1972 for an injured Staubach, who eventually returned in the playoffs. The Cowboys decided to trade Morton in 1974 to the Giants, who sent back a first-round pick, which turned out to be the No. 2 overall pick in 1975. The Cowboys used that selection to take Randy White, a 10-time Pro Bowler and future Hall of Famer.
Ironically enough, White’s best game was likely Super Bowl XII, when he was named Co-MVP with Harvey Martin. The Cowboys’ Doomsday defense dominated the Broncos, who were quarterbacked by Morton.
Overall, Morton played for the Cowboys, Giants and Broncos before officially retiring at the end of the 1982 season.
His career ended with 27,908 passing yards, ranking him 71st in NFL history, just ahead of Hall of Famer Joe Namath (27,663).
With the official NFL schedule coming this week, the Dallas Cowboys have revealed when, where and against who their Week 1 contest will be.
The Cowboys announced that they will square off against the New York Giants on the road in Week 1, with the game set for Sunday, Sept. 13, at 7:20 p.m. CT. So, it’s prime time for the Cowboys to start the season.
This is the second game we know about for the Cowboys this year. Of course, we know they will be playing on Thanksgiving, also.
The official schedule will drop on May 14, the NFL announced last week. Schedules for all 32 teams will be revealed on ESPN and the NFL Network, but each team will unveil its own schedule on social media, also.
The Cowboys were always likely to play a road game in Week 1 because of an Usher and Chris Brown concert taking place at AT&T Stadium that week.
Dallas will also be impacted by an Ed Sheeran concert in Week 7, so that’s another potential road game. They could also play on Monday or Thursday that week, or have a bye.
Cowboys’ strength of schedule
According to Warren Sharp of Sharp Football Analysis, the Cowboys are not going to have an easy road to make the postseason.
The Cowboys have the fourth-toughest schedule in the NFL going into the 2026 season, with only the Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins and Carolina Panthers having tougher slates.
Dallas’ schedule is also the third-toughest in the NFC, and the most difficult in the NFC East.
Sharp does his strength of schedule rankings based on win totals from Vegas oddsmakers rather than utilizing the previous season’s records because that metric doesn’t factor in offseason changes.
The Cowboys will play home games against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders.
On the road, Dallas will square off against the Giants, Eagles, Commanders, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers.
Of those opponents, seven of them made the postseason in 2025, a list that includes the Jaguars, 49ers, Eagles, Texans, Rams, Seahawks and Packers.
All of those teams should be as good in 2026, and teams like the Colts, Titans, Ravens, Bucs, Giants and Commanders have a very real chance to be improved as well.
It won’t be an easy road for Dallas to get back to the playoffs in 2026, but there’s at least hope following a defensive overhaul.
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